English and ICT Skills for Life

Let's communicate
Everyday phrases | Saying “Sorry” & responding to apology
Saying sorry...
Sorry.
This is a general short apology. We use this when we bump into people on the street. At other times, it sounds too weak.

Listen
I’m (so / very / terribly) sorry.
In this phrase, 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.

Listen
Ever so sorry.
This one is quite formal, but it’s a stronger apology than just ‘sorry’.

Listen
How stupid / careless / thoughtless of me.
We use this phrase to criticize ourselves and the mistake that we have just made.

Listen
Pardon (me)
We use these phrases to take all the responsibility for what happened. The last one is a little stronger.

Listen
That’s my fault.
We use these phrases to take all the responsibility for what happened. The last one is a little stronger.

Listen
Sorry. It was all my fault.
We use these phrases to take all the responsibility for what happened. The last one is a little stronger.

Listen
Please excuse my ignorance.
We use this one to apologize for our lack of knowledge or ability. We can replace the word in brackets with other nouns, e.g. carelessness, forgetfulness.

Listen
Please don’t be mad at me.
This phrase is asking the other person not to get angry. The tone is quite informal.

Listen
Please accept our (sincerest) apologies.

Listen
Responding to an apology
That’s OK.

Listen
It happens.

Listen
No problem.

Listen
Don’t worry about it.

Listen
I forgive you.

Listen