Ways to Apologise in English

Ways to Apologise in English (and How to Respond Naturally)

We apologise all the time.

We apologise for being late.

We apologise for forgetting things.

We apologise for small mistakes, big mistakes, and sometimes for things that aren’t even our fault.

In English, apologising is not just one word (“sorry”). It’s a whole family of expressions that change depending on:

• how serious the problem is
• who you’re speaking to
• how formal the situation is
• and how responsible you feel

In this lesson, you’ll learn natural, useful ways to apologise in English — and also how to respond politely and naturally when someone apologises to you. These phrases are perfect for everyday English, as well as for B2 First and C1 Advanced speaking and writing.

“I’m sorry” / “Sorry” (and stronger versions)

This is the most common and most flexible way to apologise in English.

You can make it stronger and more emotional by adding words like:

so → I’m so sorry

really → I’m really sorry

terribly → I’m terribly sorry

• I’m sorry I’m late — there was an accident on the way.
• I’m so sorry we missed your housewarming party. We’ll make it up to you.
• Dad, I’m really sorry for breaking your mug.
• I’m terribly sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.

Tip: “Sorry” on its own is fine in informal situations. “I’m terribly sorry” sounds much more formal and serious.

“I apologise” (more formal)

I apologise is more formal and polite than I’m sorry. You’ll often hear it in customer service, in public announcements, in formal emails and letters and in professional situations.

• I apologise if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention.
• We apologise if our notice wasn’t clear.
• The airline apologises for any inconvenience caused.
• I think I owe you an apology for not coming to the party.

“It’s my fault / my mistake / my bad”

These expressions are used when you want to clearly accept responsibility.

my fault / my mistake → neutral and common

my bad → informal, spoken English

• It’s my fault for not telling you earlier. I’m really sorry.
• Sorry about my temper last night. It was my mistake.
• Oh, my bad — I sent the email to the wrong person.

Tip: Saying “It’s my fault” sounds honest and mature. Examiners like that. So do people. 😉

Adding a reason (very important!)

A good apology often has two parts:

Apology + explanation

• I’m sorry I’m late — the bus broke down.
• I apologise for the confusion — the information was outdated.
• Sorry I couldn’t call you — my phone died.

This makes your apology sound more sincere and more human.

How to respond to an apology

In English, we usually try to make the other person feel better when they apologise.

Here are some very common and natural responses:

• It’s OK / It’s alright / It’s fine
• Don’t worry about it / No worries
• It doesn’t matter
• Don’t mention it
• There’s no need to apologise

Natural mini-dialogues

A: I’m sorry I forgot your birthday.

B: It’s OK. Don’t worry about it.

A: Sorry I couldn’t answer your call — I was in a meeting.

B: It’s alright. It wasn’t urgent.

A: I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.

B: Don’t worry. We’ll manage.

A: I’m sorry, but the hotel is fully booked tonight.

B: No worries. We’ll try somewhere else.

A: I apologise for not buying any food. The fridge is empty.

B: No need to apologise. I already ate at work.

Promising it won’t happen again

Sometimes we add a promise:

• I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again.
• I promise I’ll be more careful next time.

A: Why is there so little petrol in the car?

B: Sorry, Dad. I took it without asking. I promise it won’t happen again.

A good apology in English is not just correct grammar. It’s honest, polite and appropriate to the situation.

If you can apologise naturally and confidently, you don’t just sound more fluent — you sound more human. And that’s the best kind of fluency.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!