Better word for very sorry

In this page you can discover 99 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for sorry, like: sorrowful, apologetic, regretful, remorseful, grieved, contrite, penitent, regret, pitiful, compunctious and mournful.

Contents

  • 1 What can I say instead of sorry?
  • 2 What is the strongest word for sorry?
  • 3 How do you text sorry?
  • 4 How do you say sorry in chat?
  • 5 Is sorry a powerful word?
  • 6 How can I say sorry to a girl?
  • 7 Is a text apology a real apology?
  • 8 How do you say sorry to hurt someone?
  • 9 How can I say sorry to my friend?
  • 10 How do you write sorry in a cute way?
  • 11 Why is sorry so powerful?
  • 12 How do you say sorry to your crush?
  • 13 How can I say sorry to my boyfriend?
  • 14 How do you tell a girl you love her?
  • 15 What to say after he apologizes?
  • 16 How do you say sorry to someone you hurt quotes?
  • 17 How do you say sorry to your best friend that hurts you?
  • 18 How do you say sorry to someone you love?
  • 19 How do you say sorry to ignore someone?

What can I say instead of sorry?

  • I take full responsibility. ‘I take full responsibility’, is a phrase that can be used to substitute the word ‘sorry’, and essentially means that you acknowledge the mistake and take responsibility for it.
  • Regretful.
  • I should not have.
  • Oops!
  • Excuse me.

What is the strongest word for sorry?

  • apologetic,
  • compunctious,
  • contrite,
  • penitent,
  • regretful,
  • remorseful,
  • repentant,
  • rueful.

How do you text sorry?

I am sorry for arguing with you. I want us to be a team. Please forgive me, babe.

  1. I’m sorry for avoiding our issues.
  2. I want you to know that I love you and take responsibility for the words I said.
  3. Angry is ugly, forgiveness is sexiness.
  4. I’m apologizing because I value our relationship more than my ego.

How do you say sorry in chat?

150 Sweet Sorry Text Messages

  1. I thought I was right, but now I know how wrong I was.
  2. After the kind of jerk I was toward you, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to talk to me for a while.
  3. I have hurt myself by hurting you.
  4. My love, you have every right to be upset with me.
  5. I’m sorry, sweetheart.

Is sorry a powerful word?

“Sorry” may be the hardest word, but it also has the potential to be one of the most powerful words—a word of restoration, a word of healing and a word of starting over.

How can I say sorry to a girl?

If you need to apologize to your girlfriend, say “I’m sorry,” and calmly explain what it is you did wrong. If she’s still upset, don’t get angry. Instead, ask her if you can call in a couple days, then give her some space so she can calm down.

Is a text apology a real apology?

“But if you type ‘I’m sorry’ and hit Send, nothing happens.” In other words, while texting an apology isn’t exactly a “toxic gesture,” she said, it does strip you of your ability to train and strengthen your empathy muscles.

How do you say sorry to hurt someone?

How to Apologize When You’ve Hurt Someone

  1. Listen closely before rushing to apologize.
  2. Prepare your apology in advance when possible.
  3. Be specific and detailed in your apology.
  4. Try not to turn your apology into a debate.
  5. Remember that actions speak louder than (apologetic) words.
  6. Be patient after you apologize.

How can I say sorry to my friend?

Best ways to apologize to a friend

  1. Apologize right after making a mistake, instead of letting a lot of time pass.
  2. Give a sincere and heartfelt apology, rather than a half-hearted apology.
  3. Be specific about what you’re apologizing for.
  4. Take full responsibility for what you said or did.

How do you write sorry in a cute way?

1. I messed up I know, I’m really sorry, but it’s your fault I’m crazy about you! 2. Before I say I’m sorry, before we argue over what I did, I just want you to know that when we first met I never imagined you’d mean this much to me, like you’d become the only I really care about!

Why is sorry so powerful?

Sorry Is The Most Powerful Word, Know Where To Use It By Not Misusing It. At times we do things that we aren’t proud of. We may offend or hurt people–friends, parents, family. We can’t take back what we say or do but we can always try to make up by apologising.

How do you say sorry to your crush?

  1. Acknowledge what you did wrong. The first step to making an apology, according to Dr.
  2. Be sincere.
  3. Ask for forgiveness.
  4. Don’t think of an apology as winning or losing.
  5. Don’t blame them.
  6. Be ready to apologize multiple times.

How can I say sorry to my boyfriend?

How To Say Sorry To BF In A Romantic Way

  1. Give Him A Hug. Don’t say anything, don’t ask anything.
  2. Send Him A “Sorry” Song.
  3. Bake Him A Cake Or Cookies.
  4. Cook A Meal For Him.
  5. Give Him His Space.
  6. Write Something Awfully Mushy For Him.
  7. Send Him Pictures Of You Doing Everything With A Sad Face.
  8. Take Him Out For Ice-Cream.

How do you tell a girl you love her?

Try starting with less serious words.
Say, “I want you to know that I care really deeply for you. You’ve brought so much happiness into my life, and I truly value that.” Say, “I like you a lot. You make me really happy.” She’ll know how you feel, but she won’t have to worry about the serious implications of “love.”

What to say after he apologizes?

Try saying something like:

  • “I appreciate your apology.”
  • “Thanks for saying that.”
  • “What you did really hurt me, but it means a lot that you said sorry. Thank you.”

How do you say sorry to someone you hurt quotes?

How to say sorry for someone you love?

  1. I am an imperfect being, but this does not justify the mistakes that I have made to you.
  2. I never meant to upset you because you are valuable to me.
  3. I always cause some mess.
  4. I’m sorry for making you sad and hurting you because of my crazy temper.

How do you say sorry to your best friend that hurts you?

Dear friend, I just want to express my sincerest and deepest apology for what happened to us. I know I have been careless about not telling the truth. I want you to know that I really feel bad, but I hope we can work this issue out. Talk to you soon!

How do you say sorry to someone you love?

How to Apologize to Your Wife, Husband, Girlfriend, or Boyfriend

  1. I’m so very sorry for all the things I didn’t say and do when you really needed me to be there for you.
  2. I am deeply sorry that I hurt you.
  3. I don’t expect to be forgiven for what I’ve done.
  4. I deeply regret that I couldn’t be there for you on [occasion].

How do you say sorry to ignore someone?

How to Apologize Step by Step

  1. Express Remorse Over Your Actions. Start your apology by saying “I apologize” or “I’m sorry” and follow it up with a brief phrase summarizing your feelings of remorse over what happened.
  2. Empathize With How the Offended Party Felt.
  3. Admit Responsibility.
  4. Offer to Make Amends.
  5. Promise to Change.

Rudolf Meyer

Rudolf Meyer loves to travel. He’s been to all seven continents, and he has a particular interest in visiting the more remote and dangerous parts of the world. He’s an avid mountaineer, and has climbed some of the most challenging peaks on Earth. Rudolf is also a skilled outdoorsman, and can survive in almost any environment.

In this page you can discover 99 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for sorry, like: sorrowful, apologetic, regretful, grieved, remorseful, contrite, penitent, regret, melted, pitiful and beggarly.

Similarly, What can I say instead of I’m sorry?

Bonus: “Excuse me” and “pardon me” also work as great replacements for “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” Another bonus: “Excuse me” and “pardon me” also work as great replacements for “I’m sorry” when you bump into someone.

Additionally, How do you politely apologize?
Apologize

  1. Please accept my apologies.
  2. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to..
  3. (I’m) sorry. I didn’t realize the impact of…
  4. Please accept our deepest apologies for…
  5. Please accept my sincere apologies for…
  6. Please accept this as my formal apology for…
  7. Please allow me to apologize for…
  8. I would like to express my deep regrets for…

Related Contents

  • 1 How do you say sorry in a cute way?
  • 2 How do you say sorry without actually saying sorry?
  • 3 How do I stop saying I’m sorry?
  • 4 How do I give sincere apologize?
  • 5 How do you say sorry without admitting fault?
  • 6 Can you say I sincerely apologize?
  • 7 How do you say sorry in chat?
  • 8 Why do I constantly say I’m sorry?
  • 9 What does it mean when a person keeps saying sorry?
  • 10 What is the sorry syndrome?
  • 11 How do you apologize meaningfully?
  • 12 How do you apologize to someone you hurt deeply?
  • 13 How do you know if an apology is sincere?
  • 14 How do you apologize without admitting guilt?
  • 15 How do you apologize in an email?
  • 16 Is it sincere apology or apologies?
  • 17 How do you apologize professionally in an email template?
  • 18 How do I apologize to my friend over text?
  • 19 How do you say sorry example?
  • 20 How can I apologize to a girl in chat?

How do you say sorry in a cute way?

1. I messed up I know, I’m really sorry, but it’s your fault I’m crazy about you! 2. Before I say I’m sorry, before we argue over what I did, I just want you to know that when we first met I never imagined you’d mean this much to me, like you’d become the only I really care about!

How do you say sorry without actually saying sorry?


The following are some of the phrases and words you can use instead of Sorry to prove your point.

  1. Say Thank You. …
  2. Actions Speak Louder than Words. …
  3. Replace “I am Sorry” with “I Desire” …
  4. Apologize Without Using the Word Sorry. …
  5. A Simply Sorry is Nothing Without Any Sympathy. …
  6. Do Not Apologize for Bothering People.

How do I stop saying I’m sorry?


How to stop over-apologizing

  1. Notice what you’re thinking, feeling, and saying. Awareness is the first step in making a change. …
  2. Question whether an apology is necessary. Did you do something wrong? …
  3. Rephrase. Instead of saying I’m sorry, try another phrase.

How do I give sincere apologize?


5 Steps To A Sincere Apology

  1. Name what you did wrong. Don’t just say: “I’m sorry you got hurt.” That’s not owning up to your actions. …
  2. Use empathy. Maybe your actions wouldn’t have hurt you, but the fact is that they hurt someone else. …
  3. Make it all about you. …
  4. Keep explanations brief. …
  5. Let it go.

How do you say sorry without admitting fault?

Here are sample expressions of a sincere and harmless apology: “I’m sorry that you had to make this call today.” “I’m sorry for any frustration you may have experienced.” “I’m sorry for any inconvenience this misunderstanding may have caused you.”

Can you say I sincerely apologize?

A sincere and effective apology is one that communicates genuine empathy, remorse, and regret as well as a promise to learn from your mistakes. In other words, you need to really believe you did something wrong and feel sorry for the hurt you caused.

How do you say sorry in chat?


You may have done something wrong so you might want to apologise by saying sorry.

  1. I’m sorry that we made so much noise last night.
  2. I apologise for my lateness!
  3. A: I’m having a very tough time at work. …
  4. I was sorry to hear that you lost your job.
  5. I’m terribly sorry about your chair. …
  6. Pardon me for this mistake.

Why do I constantly say I’m sorry?

Over-apologizing can stem from being too hard on ourselves or beating ourselves up for things,” Dr. Juliana Breines, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rhode Island, explained. In addition to anxiety, another mental health disorder that can lead people to over-apologize is OCD. Dr.

What does it mean when a person keeps saying sorry?

If you feel anxious when you’re saying sorry, you might have developed the habit of over-apologizing as a means to cope, says Boyle. “Apologizing too much can be a sign of anxiety,” she says. “In other words, it can be the way you manage emotions of fear, nervousness, and worry.

What is the sorry syndrome?

What is Sorry Syndrome? It’s basically the compulsion to apologize for things incessantly, even for things outside of our control. Here are a few signs you might be afflicted, according to a few articles we found: You apologize for things you have no control over. You apologize for someone else’s actions.

How do you apologize meaningfully?


6 Tips To A Meaningful Apology

  1. Make sure you truly feel sorry for what you plan to apologize for. …
  2. Identify the best time to share your apology. …
  3. Apologize for how you feel you’ve wronged the person. …
  4. Listen to the other persons perspective on how they were affected. …
  5. Apologize for what you did not know or understand.

How do you apologize to someone you hurt deeply?


How to Apologize When You’ve Hurt Someone

  1. Listen closely before rushing to apologize. …
  2. Prepare your apology in advance when possible. …
  3. Be specific and detailed in your apology. …
  4. Try not to turn your apology into a debate. …
  5. Remember that actions speak louder than (apologetic) words. …
  6. Be patient after you apologize.

How do you know if an apology is sincere?


Before accepting an apology, you first have to determine if it’s genuine.

  1. A statement that contains a “but” (“I’m sorry, but…”) invalidates the apology.
  2. Similarly, “if” (“I’m sorry if…”) suggests that your hurt may not have happened.
  3. Vague wording (“for what happened”) fails to take personal responsibility.

How do you apologize without admitting guilt?

Simply apologise for the effects without naming yourself as the cause. For example, say “I’m so sorry you fell…” instead of “I’m so sorry I pushed you.” Pride keeps most people from saying those four little words: “It’s all my fault.”

How do you apologize in an email?


How To Write an Apology Email

  1. Express your most sincere apologies. …
  2. Own the mistake. …
  3. Explain what happened. …
  4. Acknowledge the customer’s goals. …
  5. Present a plan of action. …
  6. Ask for forgiveness. …
  7. Don’t take it personally. …
  8. Provide clients with customer feedback.

Is it sincere apology or apologies?

To say you’re sorry, you might offer your personal apology. However, the expression “my apologies” is used specifically to express regret for not being able to do a certain thing. Just remember to keep apology singular if you are using it as a noncount noun, as in “letter of apology.”

How do you apologize professionally in an email template?

Be transparent and tell customers what went wrong and what caused the problem. Give a clear recovery plan and explain what you’ll do or have done to make things right. Describe the steps you take to ensure that the mistake won’t happen again. Offer a refund or any other reasonable compensation, if it makes sense.

How do I apologize to my friend over text?


150 Sweet Sorry Text Messages

  1. I thought I was right, but now I know how wrong I was. …
  2. After the kind of jerk I was toward you, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to talk to me for a while. …
  3. I have hurt myself by hurting you. …
  4. My love, you have every right to be upset with me. …
  5. I’m sorry, sweetheart.

How do you say sorry example?

Here are some examples: “I’m sorry about the mean thing I said to you.” “I’m sorry I lost your book.” “I was mad, but I shouldn’t have called you a name.

How can I apologize to a girl in chat?


How to Apologize to a Girl over Text

  1. Put yourself in her shoes.
  2. Tell her that you’re wrong and you’re sorry.
  3. Take responsibility for your actions.
  4. Express remorse for what you did.
  5. Talk about why you were wrong.
  6. Don’t try to justify your mistakes.
  7. Let her talk about her feelings.

There are many situations in life where people tend to say sorry.

When you have bumped someone in your busy schedule, the very first reaction would be sorry from your side though you did not make a mistake.

Apologizing quickly is human nature but at times it seems to be irrelevant to certain situations, hence you can use other words for saying sorry at certain circumstances and presented in some other way.

It is also assumed bad for one’s self-respect as we also lose respect. Here are a few ways where you could use other ways instead of saying sorry or another word for I’m sorry.

another word for sorry

11 Alternative Approaches To ‘I’m Sorry‘:

Saying sorry is the best way of apologizing for the mistake you have done. But usage of the phrase “I am sorry” has been very routine and commonly used. Though apologizing is the minimum etiquette that one should maintain, doing it in a different way would help convey what we really mean and avoid over apologizing.

As per, Forbes Coaches Council members, provided here are 10 instances where saying sorry can be avoided, and the things to say instead.

  1. Finding a better Way To Say ‘Thank You
  2. Show self-awareness and desire to achieve the expected result
  3. Do not use words, but instead use actions
  4. Respond confidently
  5. Discuss about the expected outcome
  6. Try to correct the mistake
  7. Apologize without the term SORRY
  8. Be practical in approach rather than emotional
  9. Your apology should not bother others
  10. Demand constructive feedback and suggestion
  11. Practice empathy rather than showing sympathy

The ways above mentioned intends to same as ‘I am sorry‘ but it is done in a different way without taking a dragged approach.

The following mentioned are a few tips on using another word for sorry and different words for sorry.

1. Thanking the opponent:

When there is a minor mistake in some chore that you’ve done, thank your opponent or customer instead of asking a sorry.

Your thanks would be for pointing out the mistake and you can assure the opponent that you’ll fix it.

In such a context, sorry can be averted and thanks can be used. A word of appreciation or thanks can be better instead of sorry.

2. Own the mistake:

In a scenario where you have made a mistake and being inquired, own the mistake instead of asking for a sorry.

Explain ways how would you mend and fix it rather than apologizing. This is what the customer or your boss is looking for; they do not want to see you standing with face down and sorry for what has been done.

You can also use sentence such as “can you forgive me for the error happened” in that situation.

3. Frustrating instead of sorry:

Sorry is again used by individuals to show sympathy, at the same time colleagues use it to show consideration for their co-workers.

It is a fact that most people apologize for random facts which is unavoidable. To understand your colleagues and develop trust in them, there are many other words that can be utilized instead of sorry.

Suppose you’re late to work from heavy traffic. The usual mode used is “sorry I am late due to heavy traffic”, but instead the following phrase can be used “it’s so frustrating that I am late to work due to traffic”.

4. Silence instead of sorry:

At times sorry is being used a number of times, where it tends to lose its meaning completely.

There may be situations where one can be nervous and use words like “um”, “ah”, “sorry” also which isn’t needed in that context.

In such scenarios, it would be better if the individuals remain silent and recall what has been forgotten. Remaining silent and avoiding sorry can be the right option in this situation.

5. At times of interruption:

It is usual that most women are silent at work, for the same it is mandatory to learn your work environment.

Learn about the type of meeting you’re in, people present there, and the culture prevalent in that situation.

In such a meeting intruding with an apology can bring your status down. It is also needed to look out if others are using the same word ‘sorry’.

If there are questions to be raised in the mid of the meeting you can use words like “let me ask” or “excuse me” or “pardon me”. Sorry, can be avoided in such situations.

6. An alternative of sorry to maintain peace:

In order to uphold social harmonysorry’ is the only word that is used by almost all women.

Whenever there is argumentation, rough moments and conflict, apologies are used so that the conversation is made smooth and reset. One should also remember that sorry is a word which makes you looks weak.

Whenever you have a situation where you are unable to understand some concept, do not use the word sorry instead you can appreciate the work and ask the opponent for clarification.

7. Whoops:

When you face situations where something goes wrong and you need to take responsibility, ‘whoops’ can be used in that scenario rather than apologizing for what happened.

Not all minor mistakes at works can chase you out from job and hence, apologizing for petty issues isn’t needed.

8. Okay:

At scenarios when you’ve done the right thing and you’re questioned about it just proceeds it by saying okay. There is never a need to say sorry when you have done nothing wrong.

9. Confidence:

When you’re late for your office meeting, do not run in a hurry and get trembled, but compose yourself and built confidence after you reach in.

Speak confidently with a prominent voice rather than a low voice with eye contact. Open up the reason rather than apologizing.

10. Control the situation:

There are aspects which can be forgotten in the busy schedule, situations where you have forgotten something you promised.

Do not apologize or excuse rather control the situation and make it yours. Use the words “let’s do it”, rather than “sorry I forgot”. Have an alternative idea in hand when such situations occur.

11. It’s unfortunate:

When something bad or unnecessary has happened, you can use words such as “it’s unfortunate that“, rather than asking for a sorry.

This is another thoughtful way by which you can express your state of mind.

12. How sad:

At situations where something bad or disastrous has happened, when you meet up you can bring out your thoughts by saying “how sad that this happened for you“.

Rather than using sorry to show your sympathy, the above-mentioned words can be used.

Things to Say Instead of “I’m Sorry“:

Mentioned here are few things which you can mention instead of sorry. Though the prime focus is to apologize but here is a list of ideas to say or consider the next time when you really mean it. In simple words, it is better of dealing with the situation.

  • I’m tired.
  • Let’s take a coffee
  • Let’s take a walk
  • Thank you
  • I’m confused.
  • I’m frustrated
  • Doing Nothing
  • Finally, “I truly am sorry”

Final Words:

In this way, there are many words in English vocabulary that can be used instead of sorry, at worse situations it would be good to own up the mistake and say “It’s completely my fault and I apologize”.

In this manner, many situations can be handled with suitable words rather than using sorry. Excuse me is another word for sorry which can be used in many instances.

So make sure that you craft and use the right sentence and word rather than apologizing for all situations.

sorry in english

By
Last updated:

August 16, 2022

Oh no, I did something wrong.
I wish I hadn’t said that.
I feel really bad about what I did.

All of us have felt bad about something we did or said.

Wouldn’t life be so much easier if it came with an “undo” button?

Unfortunately, we can’t change the past. We have to live with the consequences (results or effects) of our previous choices.

But there’s a magic word that we can use to make things a little better.

Can you guess what it is? (Hint: It’s only five letters long!)

Yes, you’re right. It’s “sorry.”

Learning to say sorry in English is essential to speaking polite English. It’ll help you in personal relationships as well as professional ones. Keep reading to learn essential phrases, tips and tricks for saying sorry in English.


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Saying Sorry: The Absolute Basics

Saying “sorry” means we admit our mistake (whatever we did wrong) and take responsibility for our actions. It means we’ve done something bad and now we’re trying to do better.

I’m sorry for hurting your feelings. I promise I will not be mean to you again.

We also say “sorry” when we’re feeling really bad about someone and we want to show that we understand and care for their feelings.

I’m really sorry to hear that you lost your job.

The word “sorry” is used in many situations.

Also, depending on what we did and who we’re speaking to, the way we apologize (say sorry) changes.

Common Vocabulary Words for Saying Sorry

Sometimes, just saying sorry isn’t enough.

There are specific words and phrases we can use to express or explain our feelings.

I’ll be using them in this post, so first let’s learn some of the most important words related to saying sorry:

Apologize (verb): To say sorry.

Regret (noun or verb): The horrible feeling when we wish that we hadn’t done a certain thing.

I have lots of regrets about the way I acted. (Noun)
I regret signing up for that stressful job. (Verb)

Apologetic (adjective): Showing regret for something you’ve done.

She was really apologetic about shouting at you in the meeting.

Ashamed (adjective): Feeling really bad or embarrassed about past actions.

I am ashamed of how hurtful I was to my sister.

Remorseful (adjective): The painful awareness of our wrongdoing. Similar to “ashamed.”

After fighting with his best friend, he was remorseful about the way he had treated her. 

Fault (noun): A flaw or an error. When used with a personal pronoun like “my” or “your,” it means taking responsibility for your actions or assigning blame.

It was my fault that we arrived late, and I’m sorry.
I’m sorry we’re late, but it was her fault, not mine.

Mistake (noun): Any error or misunderstanding. We frequently use the word “mistake” with the verb “make.”

I made too many mistakes, so we failed the group project.

Forgive (verb): To stop feeling angry or upset at a person who did something bad.

I don’t know if I can forgive her yet.

Quick Tips for Sincere Apologies

Saying sorry won’t fix a problem immediately. An apology isn’t a good apology until you mean it and you really want to do better. Here are some quick tips for sincere apologies in English:

  • Take responsibility for your mistake(s): Admit that it was your fault, using the first person (I, me, my, mine). Don’t blame anyone else for your actions.
  • Focus on your body language and tone: Make eye contact with your listener and try to speak in a soft and calm voice. Your apology must sound sincere and heartfelt.
  • Ask for forgiveness: If it’s a major mistake, you must ask for forgiveness. But be prepared for the fact that there’s a chance that you may not be forgiven.

Saying Sorry in English: Essential Phrases for Perfect English Apologies

As I’ve mentioned before, saying sorry depends on context.

In other words, apologizing is different depending on the situation. Did you really make somebody feel bad, or did you make a very small mistake, like bumping into somebody at the store? Are you talking to a boss, or are you talking to your best friend? Did you make a mistake, or are you offering comfort?

All of these things will impact how you say sorry.

I’ve included many different phrases that can be used in each of these situations.

Check out my examples. Pay special attention to the phrases in bold. These are the essential (most important) phrases you need to learn to say sorry.

To get you started, check out the video below, which gives a helpful overview of the different ways to use sorry in English with explanations, context-specific examples and native clips.

Saying Sorry When You’ve Done Something Wrong

Very often, we make major mistakes or we mess up.

Some of these mistakes might be deliberate—that is, done on purpose. (Perhaps you got angry at a coworker, so you took something from their desk.) Some mistakes could be accidents or misunderstandings.

But either way, if the mistake was your fault, you should own up to it (accept responsibility) and apologize.

I’m so sorry. I was incorrect.

I apologize for my mistake. I should have been paying more attention.

That was wrong of me. I promise I will never do it again.

I messed up and I’m sorry. I will try to do better next time.

Saying Sorry When You’ve Hurt Someone’s Feelings

All our actions have consequences and affect people around us.

Sometimes what we say or do can upset people.

In such cases, it’s important to apologize as well as to ask for forgiveness. You can also ask what you can do to make the other person feel better.

I’m very sorry for forgetting the groceries. Please don’t be mad at me.

I didn’t mean to hurt you but I’m sorry I did. Will you please give me another chance?

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.

I’m filled with remorse for what I did last night.

It was my fault that I lost my temper. Will you please forgive me?

I’m so sorry. I’m ashamed of lying to you.

I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to make this up to you?

I truly regret what I did.

Saying Sorry When You’ve Made a Small Mistake

Not all of our mistakes are big. Bumping into someone in a store or stepping on someone’s toes when you’re in a hurry are minor mistakes. They might happen when we’re careless or distracted.

However, we should still apologize in these situations.

Here are some simple phrases for small mistakes. Remember to say these phrases with a smile and a cheerful tone:

Oh, sorry! I didn’t see you there! (Used when you step on someone’s toes or bump into someone)

Sorry about that!

Sorry, it was an accident!

Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that!

Saying Sorry When You Want to Express Sympathy for Others

Saying sorry isn’t just for when you make a mistake.

We also say it when we want to sympathize with others. In other words, we say sorry to show that we understand and care about our family members, friends or acquaintances when they experience difficulties.

Here are some phrases you can use to sympathize with someone:

I’m so sorry to hear about your break-up. How are you coping now that she has left?

I’m sorry that this happened to you. It must have been so terrible. No one should have to go through that.

I’m very sorry. I’ve been through this and I understand how you feel.

I cannot express how sorry I am to hear about this.

I’m really sorry to hear that you lost your job. I’m here for you if you wish to talk about it.

However, if the context is the death of someone, we usually use the phrase “my condolences.”

I’m sorry to hear about your father. My condolences. He must have been a great man.

Saying Sorry When You’re Trying to Get Someone’s Attention

In certain cases, you can use “sorry” to get someone’s attention. This is useful when you need somebody to repeat something, or when you need somebody to move.

Sorry, could you please repeat what you said?

Sorry, could you move over a bit so I can get through?

Sorry, could you pass me my jacket?

In these situations, we can also use words like “pardon” or “excuse me.”

Pardon? Could you repeat that?

Excuse me, can you pass me the salt?

Bonus Phrases: Saying Sorry in Special Situations

So far, I’ve talked about some of the most common situations where we need to apologize.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of saying sorry, let’s look at some more advanced phrases that native speakers might use. These are some phrases you might use in very informal situations (such as talking to a close friend), or very formal situations (such as a professional email).

Saying Sorry in Very Informal Situations

The way we apologize to a stranger is different from the way we speak to a close friend.

In fact, when it comes to casual situations with friends, we often use informal or “slang” language. These terms are especially good for talking about small mistakes.

My bad, I forgot to bring the book.

Oops, sorry!

How silly/careless/stupid of me to say that!

I goofed, sorry!

Whoops!

Sometimes, if we’re texting with friends, we can shorten the word “sorry” or modify the spelling.

Sry. See ya soon! (Sorry. See you soon!)

Saying Sorry in Formal Situations

Apologies are really important in crucial situations, such as the workplace or an official environment.

For instance, employees may have to apologize to their bosses, either in writing or in person, if their work isn’t good enough. Or, workers may have to say sorry to customers or clients when something goes wrong.

In these cases, it’s best to use formal phrases. For example:

I would like to sincerely apologize for my mistake.

My apologies. I take full responsibility for that failure.

I owe you an explanation for my disappointing behavior.

In a professional email, you can use phrases that are even more formal. For example:

Please accept my sincerest apologies regarding…

Please accept this as my formal apology for…

Allow me to apologize on behalf of the entire company.

It’s really uncomfortable when you know you’ve done something wrong, but you don’t know the right words or phrases to admit your faults.

After reading this, you’ll never feel that way again!

Now, you know how to say sorry in any situation. Try practicing the above words and phrases by saying them out loud in front of the mirror.

If you’re unsure of how to pronounce certain words, look them up in an online dictionary. And remember, an apology isn’t an apology until you mean it. So try to be as sincere as you can, and keep practicing until you get it right!


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1 My bad. Моя вина. 2 My mistake. Моя ошибка. 3 Oh, my bad. О, моя вина. 4 Excuse me. Извините меня. 5 Ever so sorry. Очень жаль. 6 Whoops! Sorry! Упс! Прости! 7 My apologies. Мои извинения. 8 I messed up. Я все испортил. 9 Pardon (me). Простите (меня). 10 That’s my fault. Это моя вина. 11 I apologize. Я прошу прощения. 12 It’s my mistake. Это моя ошибка. 13 Sorry about that. Прости за это. 14 I beg your pardon. Прошу прощения. 15 I had that wrong. Я ошибся в этом. 16 I feel so ashamed. Мне так стыдно. 17 My fault, bro. Это моя вина, братан. 18 I want to say sorry. Я хочу извиниться. 19 I want to apologize. Я хочу извиниться. 20 I was wrong on that. В этом я был неправ. 21 I do apologize. Я приношу свои извинения. 22 It was inexcusable. Это было непростительно. 23 I’d like to apologize. Я хотел бы извиниться. 24 I don’t know what to say. Я не знаю, что сказать. 25 I was wrong about that. Я был неправ на этот счет. 26 Excuse me for interrupting. Извините, что перебиваю. 27 I can’t believe I… Я не могу поверить, что я … .. 28 I owe you an apology. Я должен перед тобой извиниться. 29 Sorry. It was all my fault. Извините. Это была моя вина. 30 I sincerely apologize. Я искренне приношу свои извинения. 31 I sincerely apologize… Я искренне приношу свои извинения… 32 That was wrong of me. Это было неправильно с моей стороны. 33 I’m (so/very/terribly) sorry. Мне (так/очень/ужасно) жаль. 34 Please don’t be mad at me. Пожалуйста, не сердись на меня. 35 I don’t know what got into me. Я не знаю, что на меня нашло. 36 I don’t know what came over me. Я не знаю, что на меня нашло. 37 I really am most terribly sorry. Мне действительно очень жаль. 38 I take full responsibility… Я беру на себя всю ответственность… 39 I hope you can forgive me. Я надеюсь, ты сможешь простить меня. 40 I take full responsibility. Я беру на себя всю ответственность. 41 Please excuse my (ignorance). Пожалуйста, простите мое (невежество). 42 I was wrong. Can you forgive me? Я ошибался. Ты можешь простить меня? 43 I am sorry to have disappointed you. Мне жаль, что я разочаровал вас. 44 Pardon me for being so rude. Простите меня за то, что я был так груб. 45 I would like to express my regret. Я хотел бы выразить свое сожаление. 46 I accept full responsibility. Я принимаю на себя полную ответственность. 47 I have reflected on my actions and… Я задумался о своих действиях и… 48 I wanted to tell you I’m sorry. Я хотел сказать тебе, что мне очень жаль. 49 I cannot say/express how sorry I am. Я не могу сказать/выразить, как мне жаль. 50 If I could take it all back, I would. Если бы я мог взять все это обратно, я бы. 51 Sorry, my apologies. I had that wrong. Извините, мои извинения. Я ошибся в этом. 52 I just want the ground to swallow me up. Я просто хочу, чтобы земля поглотила меня. 53 I’m happy to take (my share of) the blame. Я счастлив взять на себя (свою долю) вины. 54 I can understand how you feel (about…). Я могу понять, что ты чувствуешь (по поводу…). 55 How stupid/careless/thoughtless of me. Как глупо/неосторожно/легкомысленно с моей стороны. 56 I can see how you might be annoyed (by…). Я понимаю, как вы можете быть раздражены (…). 57 I apologize wholeheartedly/unreservedly. Я приношу свои искренние/безоговорочные извинения. 58 Please accept our (sincerest) apologies. Пожалуйста, примите наши (самые искренние) извинения. 59 I’d like to apologize for how I reacted yesterday. Я хотел бы извиниться за то, как я отреагировал вчера. 60 Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry. I should have watched where I was going. О боже мой! Мне так жаль. Мне следовало смотреть, куда я иду.

very sorry — перевод на русский

I am very sorry to hear that, but I… was not involved.

Мне очень жаль слышать об этом, но я… я здесь не при чём.

I’M VERY SORRY, BUT AS A MATTER OF FACT, I’M QUITE UPSET.

Мне очень жаль, но дело в том, что я крайне расстроен.

I’m very sorry, but this is not the time, Monsieur Giron.

Мне очень жаль, но сейчас не самое подходящее время, месье Жерон.

Your Highness, I am very sorry, it’s against the rules of the house to double again.

Ваше Высочество, мне очень жаль, но удваивать снова — против правил казино.

These cabins cost two bucks a night… and I’m very sorry to inform you, wifey dear… that the family purse won’t stand for separate establishments.

Эти комнаты стоят 2 бакса за ночь. И мне очень жаль сообщать тебе об этом, дорогая жёнушка,.. ..но семейный бюджет не потянет отдельные номера.

Показать ещё примеры для «очень жаль»…

I’m very sorry to be late, sir.

Я очень сожалею, что опоздал, сэр.

Very sorry, Mrs Carr.

Очень сожалею, миссис Карр.

No, I’m very sorry.

Я очень сожалею, но нет.

— Yes, I’m very sorry.

— Я очень сожалею.

I’m very sorry, Mr. Governor, but nobody knows whether she’s married or not.

Очень сожалею, мистер Говернор, но никто не знает, замужем она или нет.

Показать ещё примеры для «очень сожалею»…

Madam, I’m very sorry, but no dogs.

Мадам, я сожалею, но с собаками вход воспрещён.

Thanks. And I’m very sorry I brought you to this.

Спасибо, и я сожалею, что втянул тебя в эту историю.

I’m very sorry my friend but you lose your bet.

Сожалею, друг мой, вы проиграете ваше пари.

‘I’m very sorry, Mr Vargas, but your wife left definite instructions.’

Сожалею, но Ваша жена оставила четкие инструкции.

Father I am very sorry I listened to you.

Отец, я сожалею, что слушала Вас.

Показать ещё примеры для «сожалею»…

Monsieur La Valle, I’m very sorry, but…

Месье Ла Валль, мне жаль, но…

I’m so very, very sorry.

Мне так жаль, так жаль.

— I’m very sorry.

— Мне жаль.

«Forgive me if we don’t make it a foursome. I was very sorry to hear about Rusty. He really sounds quite dull now.

«Прости меня, но боюсь мы не сможем опять составить четверку мне так жаль слышать такое о Расти он выглядит таким унылым ты должен заставить его выходить почаще неужели в Сан Диего мало милых жучков?

I’m very sorry.

Мне так жаль.

Показать ещё примеры для «жаль»…

I’m very sorry, sir.

Простите, сэр.

I’m very sorry to intrude this way…

Простите за вторжение…

And, well, I’m very sorry.

Что ж, простите меня.

I’m very sorry, Doctor, but I must do it.

Простите, док, но я вынужден.

I’ve very sorry…

Простите меня…

Показать ещё примеры для «простите»…

I’m very sorry, Chief, but something very important has come up.

Извините, Шеф, но произошло что-то очень важное.

I’m very sorry, but there is no Miss Janns here.

Извините, но здесь нет мисс Джейнс.

Look I’m very sorry.

Извините, у меня был сумасшедший год. Ни минуты покоя.

I’m very sorry about the dress, Aunt Polly.

Извините меня за это платье, тётя Полли.

Very sorry to interrupt your rehearsal.

Извините, я вынужден прервать репетицию.

Показать ещё примеры для «извините»…

I’m very sorry, but I’m afraid my wife’s illness has returned.

Прошу прощения, но жене опять стало хуже.

Well, if you don’t mind my saying so… I’m very sorry for you too, Mr. Amberly.

Ну если Вы меня так воспринимаете… я прошу прощения, и у Вас тоже, мистер Амберли.

I am very sorry, but you really scared me

Прошу прощения, вы меня очень напугали.

I’m really very sorry.

Я прошу прощения.

— I am very sorry, I can not…

Прошу прощения, инженер.

Показать ещё примеры для «прошу прощения»…

I’m so very, very sorry.

Я очень, очень извиняюсь.

I’m very sorry, but you seem to be up already?

Я очень извиняюсь, но вы, кажется, уже встали?

I’m very sorry, Madame Vavilova, but you seem to be pregnant.

Я очень извиняюсь, мадам Вавилова, но вы, кажется, беременны.

I’m very sorry, Madame, but we have heard everything.

Я очень извиняюсь, мадам, но мы все слышали.

I’m very sorry, and I’d like the chance to talk to him and see if there’s something that I couldn’t do.

Я очень извиняюсь, и я хотела бы получить шанс поговорить с ним… и посмотреть, могу ли я что-нибудь для него сделать.

Показать ещё примеры для «очень извиняюсь»…

I’m sorry. I’m very sorry.

Мои соболезнования.

I’m very sorry for your loss.

Прими мои глубочайшие соболезнования.

I’m very sorry…

Мои соболезнования.

I’m very sorry, sir.

Мои соболезнования, сэр.

— I know. — I’m very sorry.

— Примите мои соболезнования.

Показать ещё примеры для «соболезнования»…

I’m so very sorry.

Я так тебе сочувствую.

But I do feel very sorry for you and I shall often be thinking of you.

Но я действительно вам сочувствую и буду часто вас вспоминать.

I’m so very sorry.

Сочувствую.

Mr. Dylan, I’m very sorry for your loss.

Мистер Дилан, я сочувствую вашей потере.

I am very sorry for your ordeal, Ms. Dillon.

Я сочувствую, тому, что вы пережили, мисс Диллон.

Показать ещё примеры для «сочувствую»…

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