Apologizing

I really am most terribly sorry

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

Elementary

• I apologize
• I'm really sorry
• I'm so sorry
• I'm sorry
• I'm sorry but...
• Sorry

Pre-Intermediate

• ...is/was my fault
• (I'm) sorry if...
• I (really) must apologize
• I hope you can forgive me (one day)
• I really am so sorry
• I wasn't doing my job
• I'd like to apologize
• Please forgive me

Intermediate

• ...was very...of me
• (I know) my actions...
• (Looking back), I (now) realise that...
• (Please) don't be angry
• I accept (full) responsibility
• I am/feel (so) ashamed
• I can understand how you feel (about...)
• I do apologize
• I don't know what to say
• I really am most terribly sorry
• I regret...
• I take (all) the blame
• Pardon me!
• Please accept my/our apologies
• Please excuse my behaviour/thoughtlessness/...

Upper-Intermediate

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

Advanced

• (I know) I have let myself/you (all) down (by...)
• (I know) it was thoughtless (of me)
• D'oh!
• I can see how you might be annoyed (by...)
• I can't believe I...
• I don't know what came over me
• I don't know what got into me
• I just want the ground to swallow me up
• I take (full) responsibility
• I think I went a bit too far
• I am/was in the wrong
• I messed up
• I would like to express my regret
• I'm happy to take (my share of) the blame
• If I could take it all back, I would
• It was inexcusable
• It's unforgivable, I know
• Please don't hold a grudge/don't hold this against me
• Silly me!