Professional Ways to Say Sorry in English

Hi

What do we

say when we

feel sad, sympathy

or disappointment

because something bad

has happened or been done?

We're sorry.

But that's not the only way.

Watch this scene and listen

to other ways

that we can say sorry.

Are you sure Gabi

knew about this meeting? Yes.

I sent her an invitation

and she confirmed

she was coming.

Well, she's already

4 minutes late.

it looks like she's here.

Hi, Gabi.

Hi, Jay.

Hi, Tom.

Please excuse me

for being late.

It's been one of those days.

Are you working

from home today, Gabi?

Yes, I am.

They are refurbishing

the office.

My apologies

for the informal setting.

Don't worry, Gabi.

Now, let's get down

to business.

The first point on the agenda

is the conference

in Buenos Aires next month.

Have we confirmed the keynote

speakers yet?

I beg your pardon, Jay.

Yes.

The keynote

speakers are booked

and the fees have been agreed.

Excellent.

And Tom,

have you sent Gabi

our catering requirements?

Forgive me, Jay.

I was just about

to send them to her.

Don't worry, Tom.

I've got them already.

And I've been in touch

with the venue.

They agreed to

most of our requests

but they deeply regret

not being able to source

all the ingredients

for the vegan option.

So they propose

an alternative instead.

Okay,

we'll take a look at that.

And what about the

welcome packs?

Have we agreed on the contents

and arranged the ...

[shouting angrily in Spanish language]

Gabi?

Gabi?

Yes?

You're not on mute.

No?

I'm truly sorry

that you had to hear that.

I'd like to offer

my sincerest apologies.

Who were you talking to?

Maybe it's to them

that you owe an apology.

I don't think that that’s necessary.

It's just my dogs.

They misbehave if I...

unless I shout at them.

But look. It worked!

Good dogs.

Gabi has them well-trained.

Yes, she does.

Did you

catch all the different ways

to say sorry?

Here they are again.

When we apologize,

we can change the

level of formality.

Which one

sounds the most formal?

Now, some of these expressions

can be used to do

more than just say sorry.

It's true.

What can you say

if you haven't heard

or understood

something clearly?

I beg your pardon, Tom,

but have you asked

our viewers to subscribe?

Not yet, Jay.

But I like the way

you apologized politely

for interrupting me.

I can also say,

I beg your pardon

to introduce

information

that might seem rude

or unpleasant.

Could I also say

forgive me in that context.

Forgive me for interrupting.

Forgive me for introducing

unpleasant information.

Yeah, you can, Tom.

And how should I respond?

Do I say yes?

I forgive you or no,

I don't forgive you.

No, that sounds

a bit too heavy.

Forgive me.

Is often said

when the bad thing

is relatively minor

or beyond the control

of the speaker.

So a positive response

would be:

That's all right.

That's okay.

Don't worry about it.

And a negative response?

Oh dear.

That's a pity.

What a shame.

And there's one more phrase

from our office

meeting skit

that communicates

sadness

caused by circumstances

beyond one's control.

Which one?

Did you notice the adverb

deeply accompanies

the verb regret?

Yes.

The words regret,

sorry, and apologize

all collocate with deeply,

They make the apology

sound more

emphatic and heartfelt.

So now, you know,

different ways to apologize

or show that you haven't heard

or understood

something clearly

and how to politely interrupt

someone.

Forgive me, Tom,

but did you ask them

to share this video

with a friend?

No, I didn't.

Share it with a friend.

Please.

And hit the notification b...

I beg your pardon, Jay.

What's that, Tom?

We need to give special

thanks to Gabi,

an English teacher

and educator

and consultant from Argentina,

and tell everyone

where they can find her.

Of course.

Follow Gabi

on Instagram

at Gabi

underscore

language for life.

And follow me on Instagram

and TikTok for short

English videos

at Study 4 English.