When you apologize for offence or failure

9.1   When you apologize for offence or failure

I’m sorry.   Listen   <“Oh! Oh!” – “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”>

I’m so sorry.   Listen   <“Ouch! You hit me!” – “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there. Excuse me for butting in.”>

I’m very sorry.   Listen   <“Aw! You stepped on my toe!” – “I’m very sorry. Excuse me.”>

I’m so very sorry.   Listen   <“I was not supposed to ask this question. I’m so very sorry.”>

I’m really sorry.   Listen   <“I’m late. I’m really sorry.”>

I’m terribly sorry.   Listen   <“I broke a cup. I’m terribly sorry.”>

I’m sincerely sorry.   Listen   <“It was my mistake. I’m sincerely sorry.”>

Sorry.   Listen   <“Did I tread on your foot? Sorry!”>

You cannot believe how sorry I am.   Listen   <“I know I caused you much trouble. You cannot believe how sorry I am.”>

I beg your pardon.   Listen   <“Ouch! You stepped on my toe!” – “I beg your pardon. I’m so sorry.”>

I apologize.   Listen   <“Did I scare you? I apologize.”>

My apologies.   Listen   <“I forgot to bring back your book. My apologies.”>

My sincere apologies.   Listen   <“Did I butt into you? I didn’t see you there. My sincere apologies.”>

Please accept my apologies.   Listen   <“Unfortunately, I could not attend the ceremony. Please accept my apologies.”>

I offer my most sincere apologies.   Listen   <“I was rude with you last night. I offer my most sincere apologies.”>

 

9.2   When you apologize for bothering somebody

Excuse me.   Listen   A “I’m sorry to trouble you.”   <John belched at the table and said, “Excuse me”.>

Sorry to be a bother.   Listen   <Jim entered his father’s study and said, “Sorry to be a bother.”>

Sorry to be a pest.   Listen   <“Sorry to be a pest. I need to water the flowers on your balcony.”>

Sorry for the inconvenience.   Listen   <“Sorry for the inconvenience. I need to change the sheets on your bed.”>

Forgive me.   Listen   <“Forgive me. I need to clean your room.” >

Please forgive the inconvenience.   Listen   <“Please forgive the inconvenience. There may be some noise from the street. They are paving it.”>

 

9.3   When you may bother somebody by moving about

Could I get by, please?   Listen   (used with can or may or could)   <“I’m sorry to bother you. Can I get by, please?”>

Watch your feet.   Listen   <“I’m passing through. Watch your feet.”>

I’m coming through.   Listen   <“I’m sorry to bother you. I’m coming through.”>

Excuse me.   Listen   A “I’m sorry to bother you, please let me through.”   <“Excuse me. I want to get past you.”>

Would you excuse me?   Listen   <When the elevator stopped, Bob said to the man in front of him, “Would you excuse me? This is my floor.”>

Pardon me.   Listen   <Harry was moving along the row of spectators occasionally stepping on their feet and saying, “Pardon me”.>

I beg your pardon.   Listen   <“I beg your pardon. I need to get past.”>

 

9.4   When you apologize sarcastically

Well, excuse me.   Listen   <“Oh, you can’t help me because you’re busy? Well, excuse me. Perhaps I need your help because I have nothing to do.”>

Excuse me for breathing.   Listen   <“Don’t bother me with questions. I’m busy.” – “OK, OK. Excuse me for breathing.”>

Excuse me for living.   Listen   <“Could your business wait? I’ve got work to do.” – “Excuse me for living.”>

Pardon me for being alive.   Listen   <“I’ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself.” – “Pardon me for being alive.”>

 

9.5   When you admit your mistake

My mistake.   Listen   A “That was my mistake.”   <“That was a bad investment. My mistake.”>

My error.   Listen   <“I made a wrong decision. My error.”>

It’s my fault.   Listen   A “I am responsible for that mistake.”   <“I’m the one to blame for this accident. It’s my fault.”>

It’s all my fault.   Listen   <“We lost a lot of money on that deal. It’s all my fault.”>

I shouldn’t have said that.   Listen   <“I’m sorry for my words. I shouldn’t have said that.”>

I shouldn’t have done that.   Listen   <“I’m sorry for my actions. I shouldn’t have done that.”>

I should have asked you first.   Listen   <“I’m sorry I took your car last night. I should have asked you first.”>

I spoke too soon.   Listen  A “I had spoken erroneously before I learned all the relevant facts.”    <I know I promised you to go to the zoo. I’m sorry, I spoke too soon. I have to work this Sunday.”>

I didn’t mean it.   Listen   <“My words might have offended you. I apologize. I didn’t mean it.”>

I really didn’t mean it.   Listen   <“I said something ugly to you yesterday. I really didn’t mean it.”>

I sincerely didn’t mean it.   Listen   <“Please forgive me what I told you. I sincerely didn’t mean it.”>

I didn’t mean to say that.   Listen   <“I apologize for my words. I didn’t mean to say that.”>

I didn’t mean to do that.   Listen   <“I apologize for my actions. I didn’t mean to do that.”>

I didn’t mean to hurt you.   Listen   <“It was I who started the quarrel. Please accept my apologies. I didn’t mean to heart you.”>

I didn’t think that would happen.   Listen   <“My actions caused you trouble. I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t think that would happen.”>

I didn’t intend it that way.   Listen   <“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out well between us. I’m sorry. I didn’t intend it that way.”>

I don’t know how that could have happened.   Listen   <“Boss, I proofread the document several times before sending it out.” – “I believe you. But the client said that there were a lot of spellings errors in the text.” – “I don’t know how that could have happened.”>