The most important words and phrases for apologising in emails and letters with a business English focus. Phrases using 'sorry', 'apologise' (apologize), 'apologies', and 'regret', which help you say sorry in informal, neutral and formal writing. Lots of grammar, vocabulary tips and examples given.

1. Email Writing:
Apologising
Phrases
mybusinessenglish.commybusinessenglish.com

2. Key Words
•Sorry (Adj)
•Apologise (V) apologies (plural noun)
•Regret (V) formal
informal

3. Key Words
•Sorry (Adj)
•Apologise (V) apologies (plural noun)
•Regret (V) formal
informal
oops!
oops!

4. Sorry about/for sth (something)
Make stronger with very.
I’m very sorry...

5. Sorry about/for sth
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
Sorry for +V+ing

6. Sorry about/for sth
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
Sorry for +V+ing
Sorry about/for + noun

7. Sorry about/for sth
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
• I am sorry (that) I missed our meeting last Thursday.
Sorry for +V+ing
Sorry about/for + noun
Sorry + (that) clause (Subj +Verb)

8. • I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking

9. • I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
contractions - I’m
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking

10. • I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
• I'm sorry I missed our meeting last Thursday.
contractions - I’m
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking

11. • I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
• I'm sorry I missed our meeting last Thursday.
• I am very sorry that I missed our meeting last
Thursday.
contractions - I’m
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
This example is more neutral to semi-formal.
There are no contractions or phrasal verbs
and the optional ‘that’ is written.
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking

12. I/we apologise for + sth
Make stronger with sincerely.
apologize (US spelling)

13. I/we apologise for + sth
We sincerely apologise ...
Make stronger with sincerely.
apologize (US spelling)

14. I/we apologise for + sth
• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal

15. I/we apologise for + sth
• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal

16. I/we apologise for + sth
• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
• I apologise for missing the meeting.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal

17. I/we apologise for + sth
• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
• I apologise for missing the meeting.
• We sincerely apologise for the poor standard of
service you received.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal

18. Please accept my/our apologies for...
Using the plural noun apologies.

19. Please accept my/our apologies for...
Make stronger with sincere/sincerest.
Using the plural noun apologies.

20. Please accept my/our apologies for...
Please accept my sincere apologies...
Make stronger with sincere/sincerest.
Using the plural noun apologies.

21. Please accept my/our apologies for...
Please accept my sincere apologies...
Make stronger with sincere/sincerest.
Using the plural noun apologies.
Please accept my sincerest apologies...

22. Please accept my/our apologies for...
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun

23. Please accept my/our apologies for...
• Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience
caused.
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
‘inconvenience caused’ is a common phrase

24. Please accept my/our apologies for...
• Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience
caused.
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
‘inconvenience caused’ is a common phrase

25. Please accept my/our apologies for...
• Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience
caused.
• Please accept my apologies for the delay in shipping
your order.
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
‘inconvenience caused’ is a common phrase

26. I/We regret...
I sincerely regret
Make stronger with sincerely/deeply/very much

27. I/We regret...
I sincerely regret
Make stronger with sincerely/deeply/very much
I deeply regret

28. I/We regret...
I sincerely regret
Make stronger with sincerely/deeply/very much
I deeply regret
I very much regret

29. • We regret the inconvenience caused by our
computer error.
Formal

30. • We regret the inconvenience caused by our
computer error.
• We very much regret the error / the
misunderstanding / the delay...
Formal

31. • We regret the inconvenience caused by our
computer error.
• We very much regret the error / the
misunderstanding / the delay...
• We regret that the price information sent to you was
incorrect.
+ noun
Formal
Here ‘we’ means ‘the company’.
+ that + clause (S +V)

32. Summary
• I am sorry for/about/(that)... Informal - Neutral

33. Summary
• I am sorry for/about/(that)...
• I/we apologise for...
• Please accept my/our apologies for...
Neutral - Formal
Informal - Neutral

34. Summary
• I am sorry for/about/(that)...
• I/we apologise for...
• Please accept my/our apologies for...
• I/We regret ...
Neutral - Formal
Informal - Neutral
Formal

35. Summary
• I am sorry for/about/(that)...
• I/we apologise for...
• Please accept my/our apologies for...
• I/We regret ...
Neutral - Formal
Informal - Neutral
Formal
sincere

36. error/mistake
misunderstanding
delay
any inconvenience caused
oversight
the inconvenience

37. mybusinessenglish.commybusinessenglish.com
mybusinessenglishYoutube channelmybusinessenglishYoutube channel
FurtherViewing:
How to Write a Formal Business Email
How to Write an Informal Business Email
The Grammar of Business English Emails
Formal and Informal Business Request Emails
Email Writing: Referring to Attachments
subscribe