How to say
Apologizing in English
➡ Ever so sorry! – quite formal
It’s a stronger apology than just ‘sorry’.
➡ Sorry! – a general short apology.
We use this when we bump into people on the street. At other times, it sounds too weak.
➡ I’m (so/very/terribly) sorry!
We use ‘so’, ‘very’ and ‘terribly’ to make the meaning stronger. ‘Terribly’ is the strongest. If we use one of the words in brackets, it is stressed.
➡ How stupid/careless/thoughtless of me!
We use this to criticise ourselves and the mistake that we have just made.
➡ Pardon (me)/That’s my fault/Sorry. It was all my fault!
We use these to take all the responsibility for what happened. That’s my fault is a little stronger.
➡ Please excuse my (ignorance)!!!
We use this one to apologise for our lack of knowledge or ability. We can replace the word in brackets with other nouns, e.g.carelessness, forgetfulness.
➡ Please don’t be mad at me!
Asking the other person not to get angry. The tone is quite informal.
➡ Please accept our (sincerest) apologies.
It is often used in formal letters. The word ‘sincerest’ makes the apology very strong and very formal.