How to Say “Sorry” in English

Saying I'm sorry is certainly preferable to not apologizing at all, but it’s better if you use instead one of the many alternative expressions in English that you’ll discover in this note. In England, people apologise a lot. They say sorry when they do something wrong, when they have upset someone, when they want to sympathise with someone, when they are about to disturb someone and even when someone else disturbs them! Have you ever stepped on someone’s foot and the other person says sorry before you?! I suppose they feel sorry that their foot was in your way!

So what is the best way to apologise in English?

There are many different ways to say sorry in English depending on the situation, who you are apologising to and how you are feeling. You may have already learnt this vocabulary in your English classes; however, I have listed 10 common expressions to say you’re sorry below:

1. Sorry.

This is a very common, simple apology and there are many situations we can use it in. For example,
-          when we bump into someone on the street (“Sorry!”)
-          when we want to get someone’s attention (e.g. to go past them on a train. “Sorry, excuse me”)
-          when we are sympathising with someone (e.g. “I'm sorry to hear that”)
-          when we know we have done something wrong (e.g. “Sorry I'm late”)
This is a weak apology so don’t use it if you have done something very wrong – it won’t sound strong enough! 

2. I'm so / very / extremely / terribly sorry.

This is similar to “sorry” but adding an extra word makes the meaning stronger. For example:
“I'm so sorry I didn't come to your party yesterday.” “I can’t believe I forgot the tickets. I'm terribly sorry!” 

3. How careless of me!

This phrase is used when we criticise ourselves for making a mistake. For example:
“I just broke a glass, how careless of me! I’ll buy you a new one.”

4. I shouldn't have…

We use this when we realise that we have done something that we shouldn't have done and now we regret it. For example:
“I shouldn't have shouted at you last night. I didn't mean what I said.”

5. It’s all my fault.

We use this phrase when we want to take responsibility for something. For example:
“It’s all my fault we missed the train. I should have woken up earlier.”

6. Please don’t be mad at me.

This is quite an informal phrase which we use when we've done something wrong and we don’t want the other person to be angry with us. For example:
“Please don’t be mad at me but I have to cancel our plans this weekend.”

7. I hope you can forgive me / Please forgive me.

We use this to ask forgiveness from someone when we do something to upset them. For example:
“I acted awfully last night and I know I embarrassed you. I hope you can forgive me.”

8. I cannot say/express how sorry I am.

This is a very strong way of saying sorry. We use this when we know we have done something very wrong and we cannot find the right words to apologise. For example:
“I cannot express how sorry I am for telling James your secret. I had no idea he would break up with you.”

9. I apologise for… / I’d like to apologise for…

This is a more formal way of saying sorry. You usually hear it in formal/business situations or emails. For example:
“I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.” 

10. Please accept my (sincere) apologies.

This is a very formal way of apologising, especially when the word ‘sincere’ is included. It is usually used in formal letters. For example:
“Please accept my sincere apologies for the mistake. We will refund the money to your account immediately.”

Being polite and knowing how to apologise are important in all languages and cultures. After all, everyone makes mistakes! Hopefully now you will know how to say sorry in any situation… and if these phrases do not work, you can always send flowers!

Language for accepting apologies:

• That's all right.
• Never mind.
• Don't apologize.
• It doesn't matter.
• Don't worry about it.
• Don't mention it.
• That's OK.
• I quite understand.
• You couldn't help it.
• Forget about it.
• Don't worry about it.
• No harm done.

Some Examples:
-I'm really sorry, Pete, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
That's OK.-I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday, Oliver!
No problem.-I'm sorry about the trouble I've caused.
Don't worry about it.-I'm sorry for drinking all the milk.
No worries.

When words are not enough:
-bring flowers
-bring a hot coffee or tea
-leave an apology phone message
-send an e-card

Slang for “I'm sorry” 
My bad (common among teenagers)
Whoops (casual)
Oops, sorry. (casual or sarcastic

Note: apologise (British English); apologize (British/American English). Apologize is the preferred spelling in American and Canadian English, and apologise is preferred in varieties of English from outside North America. This is the case despite the fact that apologize is the original form and was once standard even in British English (and is still used by some British publishers).