Apologizing is an art—a skill that is essential in maintaining good relationships. Whether you’ve made a small mistake or a major blunder, expressing your remorse effectively can help mend fences and restore harmony. Here are 20 different ways to say you are sorry, each suited for various situations and levels of formality. These expressions can help you convey sincerity and make amends in a way that is both respectful and heartfelt.
Ways To Say You Are Sorry
1. I apologize.
Meaning: A formal way to express regret.
Example: I apologize for the misunderstanding.
2. My apologies.
Meaning: Another formal expression of regret.
Example: My apologies for the delay.
3. I’m sorry.
Meaning: The most common way to express remorse.
Example: I’m sorry for stepping on your foot.
4. I’m really sorry.
Meaning: Adds emphasis to a standard apology.
Example: I’m really sorry I missed your call.
5. I shouldn’t have done that.
Meaning: Acknowledging a specific mistake.
Example: I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.
6. That was wrong of me.
Meaning: Admitting wrongful behavior.
Example: That was wrong of me. I apologize.
7. Please forgive me.
Meaning: Asking for forgiveness directly.
Example: Please forgive me for losing your book.
8. I owe you an apology.
Meaning: Recognizing the need to apologize.
Example: I owe you an apology for being so rude.
9. It’s my fault.
Meaning: Taking full responsibility.
Example: It’s my fault we’re late.
10. I regret that.
Meaning: Expressing regret for actions.
Example: I regret that it happened.
11. I didn’t mean to.
Meaning: Clarifying that the action was unintentional.
Example: I didn’t mean to spill the coffee.
12. I take full responsibility.
Meaning: Accepting complete accountability.
Example: I take full responsibility for the error.
13. Let me make it up to you.
Meaning: Offering to correct the mistake.
Example: Let me make it up to you by buying dinner.
14. How can I make things right?
Meaning: Seeking a way to mend the situation.
Example: How can I make things right between us?
15. I hope you can forgive me.
Meaning: Hoping for reconciliation.
Example: I hope you can forgive me for being so thoughtless.
16. I had no right to do that.
Meaning: Admitting inappropriate actions.
Example: I had no right to do that, and I’m sorry.
17. It was insensitive of me.
Meaning: Acknowledging lack of consideration.
Example: It was insensitive of me to say that.
18. I feel terrible about it.
Meaning: Expressing deep remorse.
Example: I feel terrible about forgetting your birthday.
19. Please accept my sincerest apologies.
Meaning: Offering a very formal apology.
Example: Please accept my sincerest apologies for the oversight.
20. I promise it won’t happen again.
Meaning: Ensuring no repeat of the behavior.
Example: I promise it won’t happen again.
