Ways to say 'sorry' part 2 - formal apologies - English In A Minute

Let’s take a minute to have a look at different

ways you can apologise in a formal situation.

Imagine you’re in an important meeting at

work and you interrupted your boss.

To say 'sorry', you might say:

'Sorry…'

'Excuse me...'

'Pardon me… '

'Apologies…'

'I sincerely apologise… for... interrupting.'

Or: 'for the interruption.'

Because 'for' is a preposition,

you can either use a gerund or a noun.

Now imagine you’re in the same important

meeting at work and you give a presentation

in front of your boss that is incomplete and

full of mistakes. To say 'sorry', you might say:

'I'm afraid I didn’t finish the presentation.'

Don’t be confused – 'afraid' does not mean

'scared' here – it’s like 'sorry', but more

formal. And notice that after 'afraid', we put a full

clause or sentence.