Apologizing

I'm so sorry.

This page lists useful expressions for the language function of apologizing.

Elementary

  1. I apologize
  2. I'm really sorry
  3. I'm so sorry
  4. I'm sorry
  5. I'm sorry but...
  6. Sorry

Pre-intermediate

  1. ...is/was my fault
  2. (I'm) sorry if...
  3. I (really) must apologize
  4. I hope you can forgive me (one day)
  5. I really am so sorry
  6. I wasn't doing my job
  7. I'd like to apologize
  8. Please forgive me

Intermediate

  1. ...was very...of me
  2. (I know) my actions...
  3. (Looking back), I (now) realise that...
  4. (Please) don't be angry
  5. I accept (full) responsibility
  6. I am/feel (so) ashamed
  7. I can understand how you feel (about...)
  8. I do apologize
  9. I don't know what to say
  10. I really am most terribly sorry
  11. I regret...
  12. I take (all) the blame
  13. Pardon me!
  14. Please accept my/our apologies
  15. Please excuse my behaviour/thoughtlessness/...
The word apologize can also be spelt apologise.

Upper-intermediate

  1. (I now realise that/I know) I shouldn't have done that
  2. (I'm sure) you must be (very) disappointed in me
  3. (Please) don't be mad (at me)/don't kill me
  4. I accept that I am to blame/that it's my fault
  5. I am (such) an idiot
  6. I am sorry to have disappointed you
  7. I apologize wholeheartedly/unreservedly
  8. I cannot say/express how sorry I am
  9. I have reflected on my actions and...
  10. I know it was wrong (of me) (to...)
  11. If I could turn back the clock,...
  12. It was (a bit) insensitive of me (to...)
  13. Please accept my sincere/sincerest apologies
  14. There is (really/absolutely) no excuse for my actions/behaviour/inaction/laziness
  15. You are right to blame me
  16. You must forgive me

Advanced

  1. (I know) I have let myself/you (all) down (by...)
  2. (I know) it was thoughtless (of me)
  3. D'oh!
  4. I can see how you might be annoyed (by...)
  5. I can't believe I...
  6. I don't know what came over me
  7. I don't know what got into me
  8. I just want the ground to swallow me up
  9. I take (full) responsibility
  10. I think I went a bit too far
  11. I am/was in the wrong
  12. I messed up
  13. I would like to express my regret
  14. I'm happy to take (my share of) the blame
  15. If I could take it all back, I would
  16. It was inexcusable
  17. It's unforgivable, I know
  18. Please don't hold a grudge
  19. Don't hold this against me
  20. Silly me!