What is language? It\u2019s how we communicate, right? It is, but language is also an extension of our culture \u2013 perhaps the most obvious example we have of it, other than perhaps our food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What that means is that, when we learn another language, we are learning another culture \u2013 we cannot do one without the other. And in different cultures there are different ways to say \u2018hello\u2019, say \u2018goodbye\u2019, say \u2018bless you\u2019 when you sneeze, and of course to say \u2018sorry\u2019. Not only are the words important, but also the approach is vital too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And sometimes a \u2018sorry\u2019 is totally necessary. In English, we tend to say \u2018sorry\u2019 a little too frequently. We say it if we haven\u2019t heard someone (replacing \u2018pardon me\u2019), and we say it if we want to attract someone\u2019s attention (replacing \u2018excuse me\u2019). In fact, sometimes people even say \u2018sorry\u2019 in English when another<\/em> person has bumped into them on public transport. Certainly, some cultures can find the English-speaking habit of always saying \u2018sorry\u2019 funny and even a little unauthentic. They have a point!<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, here we are not talking about saying \u2018sorry\u2019, but really apologizing. You have made a mistake. For example, you have missed an important meeting because you forgot about it, or you are late for work because you slept in. It happens, we are only human. But what is needed now is an honest and sincere apology. Not doing this effectively can make the situation worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that in mind, here\u2019s how we can properly apologize in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apologizing must always begin with the acknowledgment that you were wrong, or that you made a mistake. If you do not do this, then your apology can seem hollow, or simply not meant (it doesn\u2019t come from the heart.) Here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was a bad mistake on my behalf to miss the meeting today.\u201d<\/p> \u201cI\u2019m afraid I totally forgot about the meeting.\u201d<\/p> \u201cI made an error in missing the meeting.\u201d<\/p> \u201cIt was an oversight on my behalf to miss the meeting.\u201d (formal)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n Get that apology in nice and early. If you wait too long, it may cast doubt that it is coming at all, and it may seem that you do not see saying \u2018sorry\u2019 as a priority. It is, so you need to show that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d like to apologize.\u201d<\/p><\/p> \u201cSincere apologies.\u201d<\/p> \u201cI\u2019d like to say I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p> \u2018Deepest apologies.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n An explanation of what happened is usually expected, but it is very important that you do not try to make excuses. Again, excuses can suggest that you do not really see it is Also, make some suggestions as to how you will plan against repeating the mistake in the \u201cI overslept and didn\u2019t hear my alarm, which won\u2019t happen again as I will set two alarms in the future.\u201d<\/p> \u201cThe train was delayed, but I will take an earlier one in the future.\u201d<\/p> \u201cI failed to check my calendar, but I have now set a reminder on my phone.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Thanks? Thanks for what? For understanding and accepting your mistake of course. Now, obviously, your boss, or whoever it is, doesn\u2019t have to accept it, but this is the point of apologizing. So, try to pre-empt the understanding, which helps to smooth the future relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the mistake has been accepted:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you so much for being so understanding.\u201d<\/p><\/p> \u201cIt\u2019s very good of you to accept my mistake.\u201d<\/p> \u201cIt is very kind of you to forgive my error.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If the mistake has not yet been accepted:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI really hope you can accept my apologies and I can make it up to you in the future.\u201d<\/p> \u201cIf we can work through this, I will prove my worth.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Now it\u2019s time to put it all together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dear ____<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a bad mistake on my behalf to miss the meeting today. I\u2019d like to apologize. I overslept and didn\u2019t hear my alarm, which won\u2019t happen again as I will set two alarms in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you so much for being so understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What is language? It\u2019s how we communicate, right? It is, but language is also an extension of our culture \u2013 perhaps the most obvious example we have of it, other than perhaps our food. What that means is that, when we learn another language, we are learning another culture \u2013 we cannot do one without […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[468,14],"class_list":["post-1086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-english-learning","tag-how-to"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nStep 1 \u2013 Admit your mistake<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 2 \u2013 Apologize<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 3 \u2013 Offer an explanation (not an excuse!) And say how can you avoid it in future.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 4 \u2013 Offer thanks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n