essay about being sorry

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‘An apology has to be meaningful’: how to say sorry (and how not to)

From the kneejerk to the insincere, there are many kinds of apologies. But which ones count? Here’s how to get it right – and why it matters

I t had been 20 years since I’d seen my aunt. In that time I’d lived a full life, written a book and had a baby, but as she stared at my bottom, I knew what she was thinking. Then she said it: “Are you competing with Mary?” There was some skill here: in a few words, she’d deftly managed to insult both my cousin and me. The subtext was: you’ve got as fat as her.

Fuelled by post-partum hormones, I decided to tell my aunt, for the first time, how insulting I found this. “I’m sorry,” she said, “if you chose to take offence at what I said.” Ah. The apology rendered immediately void by the word if .

Expecting any apology at all was ambitious, because I come from a family who largely can’t and don’t apologise (strange, given we are all Catholics). The sorrys are either histrionic and overplayed, or never manifest – the idea being, I guess, that if you don’t say sorry, did it even happen? I’ve also always been confused at the very English “never apologise never explain,” maxim, supposedly a sign of status. Because of all this, I’ve had a lifelong fascination with apologies, and a lot of them, including my own, are sometimes lacking. Why is this? Why is it so hard to say sorry?

There are several types of apology. The automatic “Sorry I bumped into you”; the “Sorry, after you” in a queue; and the very British sorry for someone else’s misdemeanour, like when they stand on your toe. We say a lot of these silly sorrys. There’s also sorry said in sympathy or sorry to sympathise: “I’m sorry to hear that” or “I’m sorry: that sounds hard.”

But the sorry that matters is the one aimed at healing hurt – when we recognise we’ve done wrong and want to make amends. This is not an easy sorry. It requires more than mere vocabulary, which is why teaching children to say sorry by saying “Say sorry” is not a robust parenting tool. The ingredients for a good apology are: authenticity, recognition, empathy, ability to take responsibility, and, finally, a good dose of vulnerability and humble pie. It’s a grownups’ word, yet few grownups use it well.

If it lacks these things, it doesn’t “land”, said child and adolescent psychotherapist Alison Roy. This is why we so often feel short-changed after an apology, especially an official one: we were wronged with the original fault, and wronged again in the supposed apology. In fact, we can end up feeling manipulated. Corporate-speak is now so clever: we are apologised to with such regularity, yet never feel anyone has really said sorry. Train companies: I’m looking at you.

“An apology has to be meaningful if anyone, but especially children, is going to make sense of it,” said Roy. “It should be a way to reconnect [with the person you’ve wronged]. But coping with feelings of shame, of having got something wrong, of being a flawed human being, is quite a sophisticated thing. These are not easy emotions and experiences, so we can’t just expect our children to understand by giving them a word. We have to model it for them.”

In other words, we need to practise what we preach. It’s important to start with children because it is usually in childhood that most of us learn to say sorry, or not. It tends to be either modelled well, or not at all. We realise how it leaves us feeling – wretched – and resolve to do better.If we learn to say sorry without thought, all we learn is that sorry is a quick way to get off the hook. There’s no reflection. This often leads to an apology with no change in behaviour, which is pointless and infuriating. And forcing anyone, especially a child, to say sorry to an audience without first finding out what happened can lead to resentment and humiliation: never good in a growing brain.

I once taught a writing workshop in a secondary school. One day I did something wrong and said: “Gosh, I’m so sorry.” The class fell silent. “Teachers never say sorry to us, miss,” they told me. This is a common lament among young people: “Adults expect us to say sorry but they never do.”

You have only to listen to debates in parliament to tell the good apologies from the bad, and hear how very “playground” some of them sound. In the past 12 months there have been 1,812 “I’m sorry”s from both houses, and counting (the House of Commons tips the Lords at 1090/722), and 1,273 “I apologise”s. Most of these are mere punctuation, and in the case of Boris Johnson, even when he does apologise – and he apologises more than people think – and uses good phrases such as “I take full responsibility” and “I am truly sorry”, it just doesn’t “land”. I often wonder how Johnson was taught to apologise as a child.

It’s rather shocking how many of these apologies try to shift the real responsibility: “I’m sorry” followed by a conjunction (if/but/that). Examples include: “I’m sorry that you feel that way,” and “I’m sorry if you took offence.” Familiar, aren’t they? That’s because they are everywhere. Hansard is full of things like, “I’m very sorry to the noble Baroness … that she feels that way.”Is that really being sorry?

“It’s the worst kind of apology,” said mediator and conflict resolution expert Gabrielle Rifkind. “Saying ‘I’m sorry you feel that way’ is not a genuine apology. It’s not taking responsibility for your actions; it’s putting the blame back to [the wronged person].”

Rifkind once gave me a wonderful tip about building bridges. It involved starting with words to the effect of: “You really matter to me and I want to work out what has gone wrong, so I’m going to do nothing but listen to you for the next 15 minutes.” When was the last time someone said that to you? Exactly, but it’s seductive isn’t it? I’m not sure I would even need an apology with that sort of starter.

But it is hard to apologise if we fear reprisals: fear and shame are the enemies of a confident apology. To bloom, apologies need safety and the prospect of being understood. Safety is often lacking because we fear that saying sorry could cost us our relationship, our job or a heap of money. One of the things we’re taught as new drivers is “don’t admit fault” if there’s an accident, even if it is your fault.

Psychoanalyst Stephen Blumenthal thinks authentic apologies are more likely in “horizontal, more democratic relationships” – if the person saying sorry and the person wronged are on the same level – than in a more vertical relationship such as boss and employee. This is why siblings and co-workers are more likely to admit to wrongdoing to each other than to parents or bosses, unless of course, they fear being ratted out.

“A genuine sorry,” he said, “emanates from a place of wanting to validate and care for the other person, not shame them. We live in a culture of inquisition rather than inquiry, more concerned with identifying a person with an action [of wrongdoing] than curiosity about what’s gone wrong or why.”

Some people see it as a sign of power to not say sorry. But the inverse is true. At some point I realised that a good apology, confidently delivered, was like having a superpower. Even something short like “I got it wrong – I’m sorry” can be potent and calming. Or, if you want to go longer: “I can see I’ve upset you and I’m very sorry. I made a mistake. It won’t happen again. What can I do to make it a bit better for you? What do you need?” Notice the use of the “I” word, and “you” only in terms of needs. It isn’t an apology if you shift the blame.

One of my favourite apologies of all time was given by former MP Louise Mensch in 2011. She not only owned her behaviour and apologised , but killed any further discussion stone dead. She’d had an email from an investigative journalist accusing her of taking drugs, being drunk and dancing with a famous violinist, all “in front of journalists”. It was done to shame her. Instead of running away from it, she published the email, adding that the incident sounded “highly probable” and that she was pretty sure it was not the “only incident of the kind”. She apologised “to any and all journalists who were forced to watch me dance that night”. A little bit of humour did her no harm, but the power was in her ownership of the incident, leaving no ammunition with which to take further aim at her.

Sorrys are not dissimilar to thank-yous. Both are small but mighty. So much grace and joy can be handed over if you use them with meaning, and they can both deliver much misery and hurt if misused, or not used at all.

Sometimes, however, people make an apology but it comes too late or is too small, and it can feel hard to accept or move on. Questions to ask yourself here would be: instead of making the sorry the end of something, could it be the beginning of a bigger discussion, along the lines of, “What do I need to do to make it better?” or “Can anything make it better?” If the answer to the latter is “no”, perhaps the sorry is being asked to do too much heavy lifting right then. Time may be needed for healing. But can it start without sorry? I don’t think so.

I’m writing a series of children’s books. One is about saying sorry: the protagonist fears that every time they do so, a piece of them goes with the apology and they will lose themselves. The opposite is true – with every genuine sorry, we grow, the other person grows, and so does the connection between us.

Series two of the Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri podcast is out now

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“Sincere apologies are for those that make them, not for those to whom they are made.” ~Greg LeMond

When I was growing up, every time I took my sister’s toy or called my brother names, my mother would grab me by the wrist and demanded that I offer an apology. What’s more, if the apology didn’t sound meaningful enough to her, I had to repeat it until my tone was genuine. An apology was the basic reaction to any mistake.

Now that I’m older, I see apologizing as more than just a household rule. My younger self didn’t understand the complexities of human pride and self-righteousness, but my older self does.

Now, I see family members refusing to talk to each other for years after an argument just because neither side wants to be the first to let go of their pride and “break down and apologize.” But who decided apologizing was a sign of weakness?

I think we’ve reached a day and age where showing emotional vulnerability can be viewed as a positive rather than a negative quality.

People are becoming more aware of ideas like empathy and sensitivity, and everywhere we are being encouraged to talk about our feelings, to seek help, and to connect with others. Gone are the days of keeping everything bottled up inside to suffer alone.

As we move forward in this time of self-knowledge and self-discovery, it’s vital to acquire the ability to recognize our own mistakes. Nobody is perfect , and we all will do something to hurt another person at some point in our lives. The difference, however, lies in acknowledging that we have done something wrong.

This was hard for me to grasp, because I was taught that an apology should be an automatic response.

It took me a long time to realize what it meant to say “I’m sorry” from the heart. Apologizing just for the sake of apologizing is meaningless. We cannot genuinely apologize if we can’t admit to ourselves that we made a mistake.

This is where humility comes in. Can we look at ourselves in the mirror and say that it was at least partly our fault? Can we take that responsibility?

Placing the blame on someone else is easy. Making excuses and skirting the subject is easy. Assuming the full weight of blame on our own shoulders, however, is very hard.

I learned this the hard way with a childhood friend of mine. As we grew older, we started becoming more competitive in the things we did together, and eventually the playful competition went a little too far.

It became a game of silently trying to prove who was better, and we ended up hurting each other over our pride.

We refused to apologize or even address what was going on because neither wanted to be the one to “give in.”

The tension kept growing, breaking apart our friendship. I wish I could go back now, because if I had taken responsibility for the mistakes I made, we probably could have resolved it easily and saved our friendship.

Instead, I let my pride take priority over my relationships with the people around me.

Learning to apologize is the first and most important step in the healing process. Not only does it show the recipient that you acknowledge their right to feel hurt, but it opens the way to forgiveness.

It seems so silly, really. I mean, it’s only two tiny words. How can something so small be so powerful?

Well, there have been various scientific studies on the power of apologizing, which have demonstrated that when the victim receives an apology from his offender, he develops empathy toward that person, which later develops more quickly into forgiveness.

This is due to the fact that when we receive an apology, we feel that our offender recognizes our pain and is willing to help us heal.

Timing is an important aspect to keep in mind, as well, because sometimes the other person might not be ready to accept your apology. Sometimes we need to allow time to heal the wounds a little bit before we come forward to say “I’m sorry.”

An apology cannot undo what has been done, but it can help ease the pain and tension of the aftermath. It gives hope for rebuilding, and puts value on the relationship rather than the individual’s pride.

Sometimes people don’t even realize the hurt they are creating around them by failing to take responsibility for their actions. Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s someone you know, but everyone knows someone who has suffered from this at some time.

Now is the time to make a change.

Often times those two simple words are worth more than a lifetime of excuses and explanations.

Choose the path of humility. Choose the path of healing. Choose love above pride. Choose to apologize.

Little girl apologizing image via Shutterstock

About Kelsey Frizzell

Kelsey Frizzell is a writer and founder at The Essential You . She is a former high school valedictorian and “poster-child.” Fed up and worn out, she finally shed off the expectations and pressures to make her own way. Leaving everything behind, she moved to Brazil with $600 to her name and is happily living there today. Find her on Facebook .

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Why It's Important to Apologize in Relationships

Knowing when and how to apologize can help

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

Björn Meyer / Getty Images

Benefits of Apologizing

• Why It Can Be Hard
• When to Apologize
• What to Avoid
• Helpful Tips

Apologies can be an important way to mend interpersonal relationships , but it is also normal to have complicated feelings about them. Some of us were forced to apologize as children when we hurt someone, and some of us apologized freely and felt immediately better after doing so. Some people feel shamed by apologizing, while others feel ashamed until we have done so.

While a popular movie from decades ago declared that "Love means never having to say you're sorry," never apologizing in a relationship is a sure way to risk losing it.

This article explores why apologizing is important and how to recognize when you should say you're sorry. It also discusses why apologizing can be so difficult and tips for making it easier and more effective.

We may have learned about apologizing when we've hurt a friend—accidentally or otherwise. There are several important reasons why apologizing is necessary when social rules have been violated. Some of the good things that come from a sincere apology:

• Apologizing establishes relationship rules : When you've broken a rule of social conduct—from cutting in line to breaking the law—re-establishes that you know what the "rules" are and agree that they should be upheld. This makes others feel safe knowing you agree that hurtful behavior isn't OK.
• Apologizing re-establish dignity for those you hurt : Letting the injured party know that you know it was your fault, not theirs, helps them feel better, and it helps them save face.
• Apologizing helps repair relationships : By getting people talking again, an apology makes them feel comfortable with each other again. It also helps convey the value that you place on the relationship.
• Apologizing mends trust : A sincere apology allows you to let people know you're not proud of what you did, and won't be repeating the behavior. That lets people know you're the kind of person who is generally careful not to hurt others and focuses on your better virtues, rather than on your worst mistakes.

Relationships can be great sources of stress relief , but conflict can cause considerable stress , which takes a toll. Learning the art of apologizing effectively can significantly reduce the negative effects of conflict and relationship stress. Apologies help us put the conflict behind us and move on more easily.

Many benefits come from forgiveness in terms of happiness and stress relief. Being adept at apologizing when appropriate can strengthen relationships, reduce conflict, and bring forgiveness. It can be hard, but it's well worth the effort.

Why Apologizing Is Hard

Apologizing can be difficult for a variety of reasons. How people interpret the need for an apology can play a significant role:

• Apologizing can create feelings of inadequacy : For some people, an apology often feels like an admission that they are inadequate—that, rather than having made a mistake, there is something inherently wrong with them.
• Apologizing may imply guilt : Others believe that offering the first apology after an argument is an admission of guilt and responsibility for the entirety of a conflict that involved wrongs on the part of both parties; they think an apology from them will allow the other person to take no responsibility for their own part in the conflict. Sometimes an apology seems to call attention to a mistake that may have gone unnoticed.

However, in the right circumstances, a well-delivered, appropriately sincere apology will generally avoid all of these issues, and will merely serve to usher in a resolution, reaffirm shared values, and restore positive feelings. You just have to know when and how to deliver your apology.

When Apologizing Is a Good Idea

If something you've done has caused pain for another person, it's a good idea to apologize, even if whatever you did was unintentional. This is because apologizing opens up the doors to communication, which allows you to reconnect with the person who was hurt.

Reasons you should consider apologizing include when:

• You hurt or insulted someone
• You behaved in a disrespectful way
• You judged someone too harshly or unfairly
• You engaged in behavior you knew was wrong, unfair, or hurtful
• You failed to keep a promise

It also allows you to express regret that they have been hurt, which lets them know you care about their feelings. This can help them feel safer with you again.

Apologizing also allows you to discuss what the "rules" should be in the future, especially if a new one needs to be made, which is often the case when you didn't hurt the other person intentionally.

Creating new rules for the relationship can help you be protected from getting hurt in the future. If you care about the other person and the relationship, and you can avoid offending behavior in the future, an apology is usually a good idea.

What to Avoid When Apologizing

It is important to note that apologies that involve empty promises are a bad idea. One of the important functions of an apology is that it affords the opportunity to re-establish trust; resolving not to repeat the offending behavior—or to make whatever change is possible—is an important part of an apology.

If you promise to change but then don't, the apology merely calls attention to the fact that you've done something even you agree is wrong, but refuse to change.

Don't make promises you can't keep, but do try to make reasonable promises to avoid hurting the person in the future, and the follow through on those promises. If the other person is expecting something unreasonable or impossible, perhaps you're taking responsibility for more than you need to.

Tips for Apologizing

An insincere apology can often do more damage than no apology at all. When you are apologizing, it is important to include a few key ingredients so you can apologize sincerely . They should help you to maintain healthy, happy relationships with your friends, family and loved ones.

Take Responsibility for Your Actions

Apologizing doesn't mean you need to take responsibility for things that were not your fault. You can express regret at unintentionally hurting someone's feelings, but you don't have to say you "should have known better" if you truly feel there is no way you could have known your actions would hurt them. In this situation, creating a new rule can help.

For Example:

"I'm sorry I woke you! Now that I know you don't want people to call you after 8 p.m., I will be careful not to do so."

Taking responsibility also means specifying what you did that you believe was wrong, but can entail gently mentioning what you believe was not wrong on your part. In this way, you protect yourself from the feeling that if you are the first to apologize, you are taking responsibility for the whole conflict or for the bulk of it.

Say You're Sorry

Don't make excuses or try to qualify your apology. Instead, just say, "I'm sorry." Avoid turning the apology into an opportunity to criticize or continue an argument.

Keep It Simple

An apology can include a simple statement such as "I am sorry that you felt that way." An apology does not necessarily involve stating that you did something wrong. Instead, it may be an acknowledgment that you hurt another person.

Acknowledge Their Feelings

Sometimes when you don't see eye to eye with another individual, an apology will turn into another argument. ("I am sorry but ...."). You can avoid this kind of circular argument by acknowledging someone else's feelings and that you hurt them. 

A Word From Verywell

Apologies are not always easy , but saying your sorry can be important for healthy interpersonal relationships. If you've hurt someone, whether unintentionally or intentionally, consider how apologizing might help mend the pain and help you both move forward.

Forster DE, Billingsley J, Burnette JL, Lieberman D, Ohtsubo Y, McCullough ME. Experimental evidence that apologies promote forgiveness by communicating relationship value . Sci Rep . 2021;11(1):13107. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92373-y

Ma F, Wylie BE, Luo X, He Z, Jiang R, Zhang Y, Xu F, Evans AD. Apologies repair trust via perceived trustworthiness and negative emotions . Front Psychol. 2019;10:758. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00758

Long KNG, Worthington EL Jr, VanderWeele TJ, Chen Y. Forgiveness of others and subsequent health and well-being in mid-life: a longitudinal study on female nurses . BMC Psychol . 2020;8(1):104. doi:10.1186/s40359-020-00470-w

Yamamoto K, Kimura M, Osaka M. Sorry, Not Sorry: Effects of different types of apologies and self-monitoring on non-verbal behaviors . Front Psychol . 2021;12:689615. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.689615

Yamamoto K, Kimura M, Osaka M. Sorry, not sorry: Effects of different types of apologies and self-monitoring on non-verbal behaviors . Front Psychol . 2021;12:689615. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.689615

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

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Everyone messes up. Here’s how to say you’re sorry.

It’s easy to give a bad apology. Here’s how to give a good one.

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If you can’t remember the last time you apologized: congratulations, you are perfect — or at least you believe you are. For the rest of us, apologizing is a common, if difficult, part of life.

Among the earliest lessons imparted to children is the art of saying sorry, yet these skills don’t always transfer neatly to adulthood. Relationships are messy and both parties often have some level of culpability. However, the biggest obstacle to apologetic bliss isn’t a complicated argument — it’s self-protective motivations.

Good apologies are notoriously hard to come by, partly because of an inherent resistance to making them in the first place. People are hesitant to apologize because they falsely believe it affects how outsiders perceive them, says ‪ Amy Ebesu Hubbard ‬, a professor at the University of Hawaii Manoa School of Communication and Information. Some view apologizing as admitting defeat and thereby lowering their social status; others think it tarnishes their reputation. On the contrary, a successful apology can bring people closer together and can improve the apologizer’s standing with the receiver, Hubbard says.

There are a number of other psychological barriers preventing people from apologizing, according to Karina Schumann , a professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Chief among them is a desire to see yourself as a good person — and for others to consider you morally just, too. When someone is upset with you, it’s common to shift into self-protection mode and to trick yourself into believing you didn’t do anything wrong. “A lot of the time, people don’t apologize simply because these self-defensive processes kick in and they come up with all kinds of reasons why they shouldn’t apologize,” Schumann says. “They push blame onto the other person, they think of excuses, all the situational factors that caused them to behave the way they did.” Another impediment to apologizing can be a lack of empathy or concern for the relationship with the wronged party.

Saying sorry effectively boils down to a few simple steps that can be easily replicated and adapted to different situations, from accidentally bumping into a stranger in a crowded bar to insulting the entirety of your best friend’s life choices. The key to successful apologies doesn’t lie in following a formula, though: It’s true sincerity.

The six (and a half) components of a good apology

According to Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy, the authors of the book Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies , successful apologies contain six (and a half) components:

• Say you’re sorry or that you apologize. Actually use the words “I’m sorry” or “I apologize.”
• Name or specify the infraction you’re apologizing for.
• Show you understand why your actions were harmful and hurtful, and the effect it had on the other person.
• Don’t make excuses, but offer an explanation if needed.
• Say what you are doing to ensure this situation won’t happen again.
• Offer to fix what’s broken — whether that’s buying your aunt a new lamp you knocked off a table at Thanksgiving or offering to spend more time with a friend who feels neglected.

The half-step is to listen to the person or people (these steps work regardless if you’re apologizing to one person or a group) you’ve wronged. This is about their experience and emotions, not yours.

“They’re more or less ranked in the order of importance,” McCarthy says. This isn’t to say listening is the least important, but sometimes the hurt person may not want to extend the conversation beyond hearing you say sorry.

Each component can be adjusted to fit the seriousness of the apology. You don’t need to explain what you’re doing to better yourself after accidentally stealing your neighbor’s trash can. But you’ll want to show you understand why punching a wall in a rage is not healthy.

Saying the words “I’m sorry” or “I apologize” is non-negotiable in any decent apology, big or small. Avoid terms like “I regret” or “I feel really bad about what happened.”

For bigger infractions, explicitly saying what you’re apologizing for and why it was wrong helps you take accountability. Be specific and use active language. Think: “I’m sorry I accused your sister of stealing money. It was crappy of me to make assumptions based on judgments.” and not “I regret the events that occurred which caused you to feel upset” or the other gobbledygook commonly found in brand , YouTuber , and notes-app apologies. “If you just dropped a cup of water, you don’t need to explain to that person,” McCarthy says. “But in most cases, it’s really good to specify.”

Even if you aren’t sure why someone is angry with you — but you know they are — apologize for what you can, Hubbard says; that might sound like “I can see that you’re upset with me and I’m very sorry for hurting you.” Piecemeal apologies also apply to situations where you’re being told to say sorry even if you feel you were justified in your actions. Ingall recalls a situation in which her child was asked to apologize for yelling at another student after they were provoked by a bully. “I felt like Max was 100 percent the wronged party and only reacted,” Ingall says. “We figured out that Max could say, ‘I’m sorry for disrupting the class.’”

Explaining why you acted the way you did can add important context, Schumann says. Victims of wrongdoing often see the transgression as purposeful, unfair, and intentional, according to research . On the other hand, the wrongdoers tend to see their actions as provoked and justified. A non-defensive account of your motivations can help the person you’re apologizing to see that you weren’t acting maliciously. Schumann suggests saying something like, “I want to let you know why my behavior has been like this over the past few weeks just to help you understand where it was coming from. It’s no excuse and I should’ve done better.” Be careful to not make excuses, Ingall stresses. In their book, Ingall and McCarthy write that “I didn’t mean to,” “Some things just fell through the cracks,” or “I knew you’d never understand” are all common excuses.

Describe how you’ll never make the same infraction again with specificity: “I’ll set a reminder in my phone next time so I don’t forget,” “I won’t use that language anymore,” “I’m going to therapy.” It’s not enough to say “I’m taking responsibility for my actions.” How will you take responsibility?

While not applicable in all situations, making up for a bad deed can look like offering to buy a new white rug after you spilled red wine all over it, or publicly correcting the record regarding the embarrassing claims you made about a friend.

These intense and personal apologies are what researcher Yohsuke Ohtsubo calls “ costly apologies ,” where the wrongdoer is willing to do whatever it takes to repair the relationship. Victims perceive these apologies as being more sincere because they know “that you value the relationship with them more than the cost you pay,” says Ohtsubo, a professor at the University of Tokyo, “which also informs them that you are not likely to do the same transgression again.” The “cost” incurred has less to do with monetary value but instead is focused on the worth of the relationship.

What not to do when apologizing

There are a few hallmarks of a bad apology. Ingall and McCarthy suggest avoiding language like “Sorry if …” (“Sorry if you were offended”), “Sorry but …” (“Sorry, but I had every right to yell”), and “Sorry you …” (“I’m sorry you took that the wrong way”). Don’t include words like “obviously,” “regrettable,” and “unfortunate” either.

Any statement that confers blame on the recipient is a bad apology. “It’s very normal for us to want to point out how they’ve hurt us as well,” Schumann says, “because oftentimes these things aren’t clean-cut in terms of who hurt who.” If you feel like you are also owed an apology, save that for a separate conversation.

By apologizing, you acknowledge your words and actions have caused pain — so don’t minimize the other person’s hurt in order to assuage your ego. “It was just a joke,” “I didn’t mean anything by it,” or “I don’t know why it was such a big deal” are bound to make the other person feel worse, Schumann says.

When and how to apologize

More important than the timing and means of your apology is its sincerity, Hubbard says. If you’re not ready to say sorry and mean it, you can apologize multiple times, Hubbard says: Once to clear the air of any awkwardness, and later when you truly feel repentant.

Don’t worry about where the apology lives within the conversation — focus on being sincere and empathetic instead. A commonly cited study found that when apologies came after the wronged party had a chance to share their feelings, they were more effective. One of Hubbard’s studies showed that starting a conversation with an apology can springboard a deeper conversation. Whenever you apologize, be prepared for any range of emotions, and to listen (or for the other person to disengage completely).

In general, the most sincere apologies take place face-to-face or over the phone. The other person can hear your voice, your tone, and read your body language. Text apologies can be utilized if you typically interact with the person you’ve hurt that way. Messages on social media can be an effective way to apologize to someone from your past you don’t communicate with or see in person. Mass apologies on social media should be avoided at all costs.

“It is far healthier to reach out with your actual human voice to your friends who you have actually harmed and say, ‘I’m sorry, I love you, I miss you. Can we talk about this?’” Ingall says. “You will find that to be endlessly more fulfilling than the Notes app apology that, B-T-dubs, everybody ends up messing up anyway.”

When not to apologize

There are seemingly endless situations calling for an apology — plenty of ways to screw up, piss people off, or offend — but a few circumstances when you don’t need to change a thing. Women and girls, who are famously maligned for apologizing too frequently , should stop apologizing for apologizing, Ingall says. “We have to be really careful about not over-policing women’s speech and not telling women that the way they talk — whether that’s vocal fry, or rise in inflection at the end of the sentence, or apologizing — is wrong,” she says, “because sometimes there are things we just got to do to make it through the day and to make our life easier.”

Never apologize for existing, taking space, and living your authentic self. That’s the version of unapologetic worth aspiring to.

“It’s appropriate to apologize for things that you do or say,” McCarthy says. “You don’t have to apologize for who you are.”

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Forgiveness

7 ways to truly say you're sorry, how to craft better apologies..

Posted September 21, 2017 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

• The Importance of Forgiveness
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• Sometimes, a genuine apology is the only thing that can repair an otherwise broken relationship. 
• To apologize, one must first acknowledge and demonstrate their understanding of why they hurt the other person.
• A sincere apology does not attempt to justify wrongdoing.

There's a reason the song is called "Hard to Say I'm Sorry." Apologizing doesn't come easily or naturally for most people, including me. We often get too wrapped up in our own lives and needs to consider how we might be hurting others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In many of these instances, a genuine apology is not only necessary, but perhaps the only thing that can repair an otherwise broken relationship.

As someone who has always struggled with making heartfelt apologies to loved ones, I turned to experts for advice on how to be better at saying "I'm sorry."

1. Acknowledge what you did wrong.

The first step to making an apology, according to Dr. Elizabeth M. Minei , is to explain the error. The person who made the mistake should acknowledge and demonstrate their understanding of why they hurt the other person. "The reason for this step is that an offer of 'Sorry!' without communicating that you've understood why the words or actions were hurtful results in less of an impact to the hearer," she says.

2. Be sincere.

This seems like a no-brainer, but we live in a culture where superficial and qualified non-apologies are the norm for politicians and public figures. Often, they will say something like, 'I'm sorry if I hurt you,' or 'I'm sorry but ...' A sincere and humble apology, according to New York City-based therapist Kimberly Hershenson , doesn't attempt to justify wrongdoing. Instead, it "shows that you recognize your hurtful actions, accept responsibility, and are willing to change."

3. Ask for forgiveness .

When you ask for forgiveness, you give the other person a chance to react and respond. Give them time. Even if they never come around, this is an important gesture that puts the ball back in their court. "It gives them the opportunity to either take it or leave it," says mental health and relationship expert Keba Richmond-Green.

4. Don't think of an apology as winning or losing.

In her practice, marriage and family therapist Carolyn Cole has seen too many couples say they just want to win or be right in a fight. But saying the words "I'm sorry" when you have crossed a line isn't the same as saying, "You're completely right in this situation." Instead, Cole says, an apology simply means that "you value the relationship more than your ego."

5. Don't blame them.

This is the most challenging hurdle to overcome in my own apologies, as I am usually all too eager to point out how someone provoked me into acting a certain way. According to relationship therapist Rhonda Milrad , "saying, 'I wouldn't have if you didn't do this first' sends a message that you are not taking responsibility for your actions." In other words, blaming them pretty much invalidates your apology.

6. Be ready to apologize multiple times.

Sometimes one sorry just isn't enough. To show genuine contrition, relationship therapist Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin recommends repeatedly asking for forgiveness and offering reassurance to loved ones, especially for serious errors. "To apologize and expect life to return to normal because you said sorry is unrealistic," he says. "This contrition will help reduce the anger that the other may be feeling and help rebuild the trust."

7. Tell them how you will change.

Most of us can agree that an apology is meaningless if nothing changes afterward. This is why it is so important to follow up with "how you plan to change your behavior to avoid this problem in the future," says Dr. Jesse Matthews . Most important, you must follow through with the change. It is the only way that the other person will know that you are truly sorry.

But what if they don't forgive you?

This is the hardest part. Sometimes, no matter what you do or say, it won't be enough. In her experience, Minei has found that "a well-executed proper apology is 12 times more likely to generate forgiveness from the recipient." Still, if your apology is not accepted, she advises that you assess the reason why. If the recipient says he needs more time, you might respond with, "I understand, and I am willing to give you more time. I'd like to call you next week — does that sound all right?"

Sometimes, people may hesitate in granting forgiveness because the offered restoration isn't enough, Minei says. In that case, you might respond with, "I'd like to know what I can do to make this right. Can we brainstorm together?" This shows that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make amends.

Finally, there may be times when people flat-out refuse your apology, no matter how well-intentioned or heartfelt. Minei suggests that you can only respond by stating your desire to maintain your relationship. You could say, "I understand that you want nothing to do with me, and I regret that my mistake has led us to this place. I do not want to end our friendship and can only say that if you change your mind, I would be willing to continue our relationship." But afterward, you should leave them alone.

Apologies will never be easy, but hopefully these tips will make them better.

Jen Kim is a former Psychology Today intern and a graduate of Northwestern University.

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Personal Health

The Right Way to Say ‘I’m Sorry’

By Jane E. Brody

• Jan. 30, 2017

Most people say “I’m sorry” many times a day for a host of trivial affronts – accidentally bumping into someone or failing to hold open a door. These apologies are easy and usually readily accepted, often with a response like, “No problem.”

But when “I’m sorry” are the words needed to right truly hurtful words, acts or inaction, they can be the hardest ones to utter. And even when an apology is offered with the best of intentions, it can be seriously undermined by the way in which it is worded. Instead of eradicating the emotional pain the affront caused, a poorly worded apology can result in lasting anger and antagonism, and undermine an important relationship.

I admit to a lifetime of challenges when it comes to apologizing, especially when I thought I was right or misunderstood or that the offended party was being overly sensitive. But I recently discovered that the need for an apology is less about me than the person who, for whatever reason, is offended by something I said or did or failed to do, regardless of my intentions.

I also learned that a sincere apology can be powerful medicine with surprising value for the giver as well as the recipient.

After learning that a neighbor who had assaulted me verbally was furious about an oversight I had not known I committed, I wrote a letter in hopes of defusing the hostility. Without offering any excuses, I apologized for my lapse in etiquette and respect. I said I was not asking for or expecting forgiveness, merely that I hoped we could have a civil, if not friendly, relationship going forward, then delivered the letter with a jar of my homemade jam.

Expecting nothing in return, I was greatly relieved when my doorbell rang and the neighbor thanked me warmly for what I had said and done. My relief was palpable. I felt as if I’d not only discarded an enemy but made a new friend, which is indeed how it played out in the days that followed.

About a week later I learned that, according to the psychologist and author Harriet Lerner, the wording of my apology was just what the “doctor” would have ordered. In the very first chapter of her new book, “Why Won’t You Apologize?,” Dr. Lerner points out that apologies followed by rationalizations are “never satisfying” and can even be harmful.

“When ‘but’ is tagged on to an apology,” she wrote, it’s an excuse that counters the sincerity of the original message. The best apologies are short and don’t include explanations that can undo them.

Nor should a request for forgiveness be part of an apology. The offended party may accept a sincere apology but still be unready to forgive the transgression. Forgiveness, should it come, may depend on a demonstration going forward that the offense will not be repeated.

“It’s not our place to tell anyone to forgive or not to forgive,” Dr. Lerner said in an interview. She disputes popular thinking that failing to forgive is bad for one’s health and can lead to a life mired in bitterness and hate.

“There is no one path to healing,” she said. “There are many roads to letting go of corrosive emotions without forgiving, like therapy, meditation, medication, even swimming.”

Hardest of all, Dr. Lerner said, is to forgive a nonapologetic offender, like my aunt whom I had loved dearly and who served as my second mother after mine died. But when I, raised Jewish, married a Christian, she refused to come to the wedding and never apologized for the intense hurt her absence had caused. Although I made several attempts to restore the relationship, she always managed to deflect them, and to this day, more than half a century later, I cannot forgive her.

The focus of an apology should be on what the offender has said or done, not on the person’s reaction to it. Saying “I’m sorry you feel that way” shifts the focus away from the person who is supposedly apologizing and turns “I’m sorry” into “I’m not really sorry at all,” the psychologist wrote.

As to why many people find it hard to offer a sincere, unfettered apology, Dr. Lerner pointed out that “humans are hard-wired for defensiveness. It’s very difficult to take direct, unequivocal responsibility for our hurtful actions. It takes a great deal of maturity to put a relationship or another person before our need to be right.”

Offering an apology is an admission of guilt that admittedly leaves people vulnerable. There’s no guarantee as to how it will be received. It is the prerogative of the injured party to reject an apology, even when sincerely offered. The person may feel the offense was so enormous — for example, having been sexually abused by a parent — that it is impossible to accept a mea culpa offered by the abusive parent years later.

Righting a perceived wrong can be especially challenging when it involves family members, who may be inclined to cite history — he was abused by his father, or she was raised by a distant mother — as an excuse for hurtful behavior. “History can be used as an explanation, not an excuse,” the psychologist said. “It should involve a conversation that allows the hurt party to express anger and pain if an apology, however sincere, is to heal a broken connection.”

As she wrote: “Nondefensive listening [to the hurt party] is at the heart of offering a sincere apology.” She urges the listener not to “interrupt, argue, refute, or correct facts, or bring up your own criticisms and complaints.” Even when the offended party is largely at fault, she suggests apologizing for one’s own part in the incident, however small it may be.

Dr. Lerner views apology as “central to health, both physical and emotional. ‘I’m sorry’ are the two most healing words in the English language,” she said. “The courage to apologize wisely and well is not just a gift to the injured person, who can then feel soothed and released from obsessive recriminations, bitterness and corrosive anger. It’s also a gift to one’s own health, bestowing self-respect, integrity and maturity — an ability to take a cleareyed look at how our behavior affects others and to assume responsibility for acting at another person’s expense.”

Beverly Engel, the author of “The Power of Apology,” relates how her life was changed by a sincere, effective apology from her mother for years of emotional abuse. “Almost like magic,” she wrote, “apology has the power to repair harm, mend relationships, soothe wounds and heal broken hearts. An apology actually affects the bodily functions of the person receiving it — blood pressure decreases, heart rate slows and breathing becomes steadier.”

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Do you use these words when you apologize? It's time to stop, researchers say

Mary Louise Kelly

There are certain words that can creep into apologies but should be avoided, experts say. jayk7/Getty Images hide caption

There are certain words that can creep into apologies but should be avoided, experts say.

There's something very powerful about receiving or giving a heartfelt, genuine apology.

Bad apologies, on the other hand, can be disastrous and lead to more hurt.

The new book, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies , draws from a broad range of research to explain the power of apologies, why we don't always get good ones, and the best way to tell someone you're sorry.

Co-authors Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy break down the six (and a half) steps to great apologies. They are:

• Say you're sorry. Not that you "regret," not that you are "devastated." Say you're "sorry."
• Say what it is that you're apologizing for. Be specific.
• Show you understand why it was bad, take ownership, and show that you understand why you caused hurt.
• Don't make excuses.
• Say why it won't happen again. What steps are you taking?
• If it's relevant, make reparations: "I'm going to pay for the dry cleaning. Just send the bill to me. I'm going to do my best to fix what I did."

Southwest Airlines apologizes and then gives its customers frequent-flyer points

"These six steps are relevant for adults, for children, for corporations, for institutions, for governments," Ingall said. "And six-and-a-half is 'listen.' People want to be heard, and don't jump over them. Let the person that you hurt have their say."

Ingall said saying the word "sorry" may seem obvious, but it didn't always happen. Instead, people say things like they're "regretful," and this isn't the same thing.

"Regret is about how I feel," Ingall said. "We're all regretful. 'Sorry' is about how the other person feels. And when you apologize, you have to keep the other person's feelings at top of mind."

Then there are the words not to say during an apology.

Ingall points to words like "obviously" ("If it was obvious, you wouldn't have to say it") and "already" ("'I've already apologized' is a thing we hear a lot"), and the qualifiers like "sorry if ..." and "sorry but ..." and "I didn't meant to."

"Intent is far less important than impact when it comes to apologies," Ingall said.

It's Been a Minute

Millennials in hollywood are making parents apologize on-screen.

McCarthy adds that a bad apology can even make things worse.

"It's akin to the cover-up being worse than a crime, if you make an apology that says, you know, 'You shouldn't even have a white sofa,' or, 'You shouldn't have been standing there,'" she said.

On the other hand, a great — even late — apology can have tremendous healing power, the authors say.

"I received a letter years after a breakup from a boyfriend," Ingall said. "And he just said, 'I wanted you to know I'm getting married. And I'm aware that I was often not a good boyfriend. And I want you to know that I was listening, even when it didn't seem like I wasn't listening. And I'm going to be a better husband because of our relationship.'"

Ingall said there was no return address on the letter, which made it feel more meaningful as there was no expectation of a response.

"I still had some sad and angry feelings about that relationship, and it felt so healing," she said. "And it felt like it was good for my relationships moving forward, too. I mean, a good apology is a really, really potent thing."

"I think in some ways we don't even understand yet."

Mallory Yu edited the radio interview.

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How to Write an Impressive Apology Letter

Millie Dinsdale

“I said something I wish I hadn’t.”

“I really messed up.”

“I upset someone and I regret it.”

Humans are not perfect. We make mistakes—but we can also own up to those mistakes to atone for them.

That’s where an apology letter comes in.

Writing an apology letter shows that you recognize your mistake and allows you to ask for forgiveness.

Asking for forgiveness is a difficult but inevitable part of life. But how do you do it? We will break down how to write an effective apology letter in this post.

What Is an Apology Letter?

What should you include in an apology letter, what are the different types of apology letter, how do you write a business apology letter, how do you write a third-party apology, how do you write a mass apology letter, how do you write a personal apology letter.

At its most basic, an apology letter is a letter which says sorry.

But it’s not that simple. Often saying sorry is not enough.

Sorry is not a catch-all phrase for any mistake. If you accidentally spill someone’s drink, sorry is a perfectly acceptable response (you might also buy them a replacement!). But if you inadvertently cause someone to lose their job, the word sorry is not enough.

In this case you’ll probably need to apologize, own up to your mistake, suggest a solution, and only then ask for forgiveness. Writing an apology letter is a good opportunity to cover that content.

Before we look at the different types of letters, there are a few things that you should do in each one.

1) Acknowledge Your Mistake

You should start every letter by explaining why you’re writing. An apology letter is no different.

By acknowledging your mistake, you can both own up to your error and inform the reader what the letter is about.

Acknowledging your mistake will let the reader know that you are sincere and that you are seeking forgiveness. It is important to acknowledge your mistake straight away—by not doing so, you can annoy the other person and make the situation worse.

For example, if you broke your friend’s favorite mug at work, you should go straight to them and explain your mistake instead of squirreling it back into the cupboard for them to find later.

2) Apologize for Your Mistake

Now that you have stated your mistake it is time to apologize. Although sorry sums up what you are trying to say, it is sometimes better to be more specific.

Explain why you are sorry and acknowledge any negative outcomes from your mistake.

For example: if you accidentally lost an important document, acknowledge the extra work the person had to do and the stress that this loss must have caused.

Taking full responsibility is the best way to approach an apology, so try not to shift the blame onto anyone or anything else.

It is also best to avoid excuses if you can. Excuses can aggravate the situation and detract from your apology.

3) Share Your Plan to Resolve the Issue

It is all well and good to apologize, but what can you do to improve the situation? Let’s look at our previous example. Although there is nothing you can do about the lost document, you can promise that it will not happen again.

To convince your reader that your promise is not just empty words, you could present an action plan, like this:

I will create a physical backup folder for all documents in the future.

In addition to this, I will save all documents to an independent hard drive which I will leave at work. This means that they will stay safe, even if I lose my laptop.

4) Ask for Forgiveness

Asking for forgiveness is very important because it hands control of the situation over to the reader.

It also acknowledges that there are pieces of the relationship which need to be repaired. If you wanted to, you could take the opportunity to invite your reader to suggest their own solution before they forgive you.

This will help the person to feel like their opinions have been heard. It will also help you to understand the effect that the mistake had upon them.

For example:

I want to ask for forgiveness for my error. Are there any further steps I can take to ensure that this never happens again? I hope we can resolve this and continue to work together.

There are four main types of apology letter:

Business Apology Letter

Third-Party Apology Letter

Mass Apology Letter

Personal Apology Letter

Each category has multiple usages.

For example, if you needed to write to your neighbor due to a disagreement, that would be a personal apology letter.

If you were writing to your boss after making a mistake, this apology letter would fall under the business category .

A business apology letter could be addressed to a client, a partner, a supplier, another firm, a partnered retailer, or stakeholders.

A business apology letter should be:

Be clear about the purpose of the e-mail and do not skirt around the point. Avoid any vague language as it will undermine the purpose of the letter.

Straight to the point

Business professionals receive multiple e-mails a day. If you waste their time with unnecessary words you may annoy them further rather than placate them.

Professional

Match the professional tone normally adopted by your company or business sector. If you are unsure what language to use, err on the side of caution. It is far better to be too formal than not formal enough.

Focused on a solution

Instead of focusing your e-mail on the problem, focus on the proposed solution which will put a positive twist on the letter without ignoring the issue.

As a result your business will be presented in a better light and you will have a higher chance of repairing your professional relationship.

Dear [insert customer name], We’re sorry we weren’t able to deliver your product on time. COVID-19 has caused a significant impact to our supply chain and has made restocking difficult. We understand your frustration and we are doing all we can to prevent any future incidences of this kind. While this does not make up for any inconvenience caused, we would like to offer you a 20% discount on your next order Please let me know if you have any other concerns or questions. Sincerely, [Name], [Title]

When Should You Write a Business Apology Letter?

You could address a business apology letter to a colleague, a boss, a customer, a supplier, or anyone else related to your place of business.

Here are a few examples of situations where a letter of apology might be needed:

If you have a problem with your supply chain and need to delay a delivery.

If you forgot an important meeting and arrived unprepared.

If you had to take a day off at the last minute meaning that a colleague has to take up extra work.

A third-party apology letter is one in which the writer is apologizing on behalf of someone else , such as a letter from a manager to a customer on behalf of an employee who behaved rudely.

A third-party apology letter should be:

Clearly directed

In the first line, let the recipient know who is writing and on behalf of whom. Explain why you are writing, and not the guilty party.

This may sound obvious but third-party apology letters need to be handled very carefully. Not only do you need to apologize for the actions of the perpetrator, you also need to apologize that the letter is not coming from them and likely apologize for your part in the situation, even unintentionally.

The recipient is not frustrated with you personally, so try to build and maintain a relationship with them. Treat the letter as an olive branch and take full advantage of the fact that you can shift blame.

Example of a third-party apology:

Dear [insert name], We’re Chad’s parents, and we would like to apologize for Chad’s behaviour yesterday which resulted in Jen being bitten. We fully intend on having Chad apologize to Jen himself, but as his parents we wanted to add some context to the situation and also say we’re sorry as well. Chad often gets overstimulated, and we think that might have caused yesterday’s tragedy. He looks forward to his playdates with Jen, which leads us to believe that this is a one-off incidence. Nonetheless, his behavior is unacceptable and we have given him a strong talking to on why what he did was wrong. He has also been grounded, and will write an apology letter to Jen. Once again, we are truly sorry for any distress this may have caused. Yours sincerely, Bod and Sharon (Chad’s parents)

When Would You Require a Third-Party Apology Letter?

A third-party apology letter is required in one of two cases:

• If the person at fault is unable to write an apology themselves.
• If it is inappropriate for the person at fault to write the letter and it would be better for someone else to write it.

Examples of this second type are:

If a customer at a restaurant was abusive to another customer, the manager may wish to write an apology on behalf of the restaurant.

If a child bit another child at preschool the parent may wish to write an apology to the other parent.

If a dog was noisy and kept waking up next door’s baby, the owner may wish to write an apology to the parents.

A mass apology letter is one in which many people have been affected by a single issue. A mass apology letter should be:

Many people will need to read this letter so it should get to the point as quickly as possible. Make a sincere apology, and then say how you will fix the situation.

Use basic terminology and grammar to ensure that everyone can understand the meaning. You can use ProWritingAid’s Readability Report to identify any hard-to-read paragraphs. To achieve this, you should aim for a reading level that is suitable for a 5th grader or below.

Try the Readability Report with a free ProWritingAid account.

When Would You Require a Mass Apology Letter?

Mass apology letters are usually written by someone with responsibility for the care or experiences of a large group of people. It's important to strike the right tone so that you can maintain your authority and trust with the recipients.

Here are some instances in which you might need a mass apology letter.

To consumers if one of your products needs to be recalled after an issue was detected.

To residents if there was an avoidable power cut in your housing stock.

To parents if students were given the wrong information about upcoming exams.

Example of a mass apology letter:

Dear People of Townsville, On Friday, November 19, 2021 the city of Townsville was without electricity for four hours as a result of an overloading of the city’s grid. This was not scheduled, and therefore required an emergency response. We understand how difficult this must have been for you the citizens, particularly the business owners. We’d like to offer our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused, as well as any disruptions. We take incidents like this very seriously, and our team is already refining our maintenance schedules in order to avoid similar events in the future. We remain committed to ensuring that we sustain the high standard of service delivery that we hope you expect from us. Best, The Team at ABC Electrical

If you are writing your apology letter to friends, family, neighbors, relatives, acquaintances, or even strangers, and if it doesn’t serve or include a commercial purpose, you’re writing a personal apology letter.

A personal apology letter should be:

Conversational : Keep the tone informal to avoid sounding pompous and false. Make a direct apology to the recipient without hiding behind complex language.

Full of remorse : Unlike in the previous example, it is advised that you express your own emotions about the situation. It is important that the recipient believes you are truly sorry.

Focused on the relationship : The most important thing is to limit the damage that your mistake causes to your personal relationship with the person so make it clear that you care.

When Would You Require a Personal Apology Letter?

A personal apology letter is probably the most versatile type on this list. Almost any apology that is not directly related to your work will require this form of apology.

Examples of when this type of apology might be appropriate are:

When you broke your mom’s favorite ornament with a bouncy ball.

If you lost your friend’s guinea pig whilst looking after it.

If you crashed into your neighbor’s garden wall and damaged it.

Example of a personal apology letter:

Dear Mrs. Steel, I’m really sorry for running over your garden gnomes the other day. My dad was teaching me to drive and I mistakenly touched reverse instead of forward. I’d be happy to replace them, though that may not happen immediately. I’ve taken a summer job at the mall and I’m committed to saving every penny so I can buy them back. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. Best, Ash

Should You Write a Letter, Text, or Call to Apologize?

When it comes to business, third-party, and mass apologies, letters and e-mails are the only way of doing things professionally.

A personal apology may feel stilted or unnatural as a letter and may be better delivered by text, phone call, or even in person. It totally depends on the situation and your relationship with that person.

The way that an apology is delivered is just as important as the content of it, so give this question some thought.

However as a general rule:

E-mail or letter :

If you are only acquaintances or if there is a large age gap between you and the other person. For example , if a 14-year-old cycled over her 67-year-old neighbor’s flowers, an e-mail or letter apology would be best.

If the mistake was minor and you are friends with the person or a similar age. For example , a student accidentally smashed another student’s mug.

If the mistake was bigger and you are friends with the person. This can also be a good option for family members when you cannot see them in person. For example , someone forgot their grandma’s birthday and the card arrived late.

In person :

If the mistake was major and it is a friend or family member that you can reasonably visit. For example , someone had a big argument with their best friend and realized afterwards that they were totally out of line.

I sincerely apologize that I can’t write your letter for you. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t help. You can always revisit this article if you need a refresher.

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80 Apology Paragraphs Straight From The Heart

By Author Lauren Levine

Categories Quotes

Choosing the right words to say sorry to someone you hurt can be tricky. So I collected the best apology paragraphs available online and I’m sure they’ll help you restore much-needed trust, peace, and harmony. Let’s take a look!

Best Apology Paragraphs

1. “My tears are dropping as looking at the raindrops. I remember the moments we shared. As the rain soaks in my skin, I remember our love and realize how stupid I am for hurting you. I’m sorry.”

2. “You’re the only person I can tell all my secrets to, the first person I want to talk to when I wake up, and the last person I want to talk to before I drift off to sleep. I am so sorry for betraying your trust. Your trust is a treasure that I did not treat well. I will work hard to earn that trust back from you.”

3. “Every time I hurt you, I put blisters in myself. Every time I make you angry, I am belittling myself, Every time I complain to you, I downgrade myself. Please forgive me, my love.”

4. “I am sorry for being such a fool. But I am a fool who is in love with you. I am sorry for what I did. I will wait forever if that is how long you need to forgive me. Please accept my sincere apology.”

5. “I am an imperfect being, but this does not justify the mistakes that I have made. I understand that even if I say sorry, it will not change anything. However, I will keep my promise that I will change because I want to become a better person for you.”

6. “You helped me to become a better person. Honestly, I am trying hard to become better for you. I’m sorry that I have hurt you. I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”

7. “I am the luckiest person on this planet to have a partner like you. But I always cause you some headaches. I promise to become the best person that you can be proud of. I’m sorry for the wrongdoings I did.”

8. “I miss the moments when we laugh together, cry together, and tap our backs together. But I hurt you and caused pain you pain. Please remember the happy moments we shared and forgive me.”

9. “You are my priceless love. I’m sorry for not listening to you and going the other way. I realize the huge mistake I commit. I am sorry for hurting you my love .”

10. “I can make the ground shake because of my love. My love can shatter the earth. My heart broke when you left me. I regret and am angry with myself for doing such a stupid act. Please forgive me.”

11. “I may be too late. You may already be gone. Or should I say that I am the one who may be gone from your heart?”

12. “I wish I could travel back in time and not make a mistake. I wish to take back the pain. I wish to fill those pains with joy. I am sorry.”

13. “I feel shame for what I said to you. A simple I’m sorry message may not be enough. But I am willing to do everything to get you back and be my one and only true love.”

14. “How I wish I could turn back the hands of time and unsay everything I said back then. I never meant to be mean. Please, forgive me.”

15. “I don’t deserve you, and that’s why I am apologizing with this sorry message. You are my only true love. If we are meant to be, then somehow, we will make it work. Please forgive me.”

16. “I know sorry is not enough, but you cross my mind every single day. Life without you is difficult and meaningless. Making you happy is my only motto. I’m afraid to lose you. I promise this is the last time. Forgive me, my baby!”

17. “Words can’t describe how sad I’m that I broke your heart. Please forgive me and give me a place in your heart. I cannot live like this. I apologize for everything I did. Without you, my life is nothing.”

18. “I was such a fool to make an argument. Please forgive me, and let me right all my wrongs. I feel like you are miles away from me. After this argument, I realized how much you mean in my life. I’m sorry, baby!”

19. “The biggest mistake I ever made was allowing pride to come in between us. How I wish I had let it off earlier, we wouldn’t be here today. I’m willing to do anything to get back to you again.”

20. “I am in the park, and the sunlight reminds me of your beautiful hair. It reminds me of the laughter and smile we had. I am still waiting for you. I will never stop waiting for you. I am deeply sorry.”

I’m Sorry Paragraphs

1. “My world breaks apart when I see you crying. My heart breaks into pieces realizing I hurt you. I can neither bear this pain nor see you like this. My heart has already been shattered into pieces. I’m sorry!”

2. “I know you are mad at me right now. I hate seeing you cry. I have myself realizing that I have hurt you. Please, give us a chance to fix this.”

3. “Can we, please, bury the argument and move on? I know this is unforgivable. I know you can never love me like before, but I cannot lose you, baby. Sorry, the love of my life!”

4. “Baby, we promised not to allow anything to get in our way. I’m sorry for the mistake I did that disappointed you and made you angry. I hope and pray that you can forgive me.”

5. “I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I’m sending you this love message in a card to let you know that I love everything about you, always, every single day.”

6. “Yesterday was the saddest moment for me as I cannot believe that we made a fight last night. I’m sorry for whatever the cause is. I promise that I will change and become good to you.”

See also: 100 Couple Love Fight Quotes To Share With Your Partner

7. “Since the time you accepted me and allowed me to love you, all I ever wanted was to make you happy. I think my effort is not enough, as it did not appear that much. I am sorry for being insensitive. I ask for your forgiveness.”

8. “Our relationship is tested like gold in a fire. It becomes more refined and stronger. May you give me your forgiveness.”

9. “Please excuse my behavior last week. Your criticism was completely justified, and I should have reacted differently to it.”

10. “When we made our vows, we both accepted that we both have small potholes in life. These potholes are the challenges in the freeway of our married life. Can we fix our potholes together?”

11. “When we made our promises in front of the minister, I knew at that time that half of me was in you. Now that we are in this situation, I feel down and cannot function well. Please forgive me.”

12. “Our relationship is still sweet, even if you add a little saltiness. I’m sorry for the silly mistakes that I have made. I know what I did wasn’t cool. I’m sorry.”

13. “Yesterday was the best time of my life. Thank you for hugging me despite the wrong actions that I have done. You are truly my best friend and lover. I’m truly sorry for hurting you.”

14. “Your presence is like heaven to me. You comforted me. Now that a single mistake made it dull, I feel alone and sorry. Please forgive me.”

15. “It’s not easy to apologize. I hope you see my apology comes from the heart. And I hope you put our love above my mistake.”

16. “They say the best apology is to change your behavior. Let’s spend time together again so that I can show you my new behavior.”

17. “I’m sorry I’m not perfect, and I haven’t been working on it. But you are perfect to me, and I could still learn from you if you let me.”

18. “I truly care about you and love you like crazy. I know a huge amount of sorry messages cannot fix your heart. But I will try my level best to make you happy. I’m sorry, my love.”

19. “I should never say those words to you. I cannot lose you, baby. The only thing I can do right now is to think about you. Seeing you like this shatters my heart. Sorry for breaking your heart, baby.”

20. “I’m sorry that I messed up. But I’ll fix everything, sweetheart. I can live without your love and care, baby. I can fix everything if you give me a last chance. I realized that I was wrong, and so I’m sorry!”

Apology Paragraphs For Her Copy And Paste

1. “You are the only person who taught me that asking for humble forgiveness is the bravest thing I can ever do. It frustrates me because I hurt the feelings of the number 1 woman in my life. That is you, sweetheart. I’m sorry, and I ask for your forgiveness.”

2. “I’m sorry for the wrongdoings I did that disappointed you. You are the best girlfriend in the world, for you never stop being on my side despite my inequities. Please forgive me.”

3. “I’m sorry, my dear, for the pride of my heart. It took time for me to realize that being proud is also breaking you as my wife. I promise to do my very best never to let it happen again.”

4. “May you feel the sincerity of my apology? I’m very sorry for hurting you so much. I’m sorry for the hurting words that came out of my mouth. Please, I am asking for your forgiveness.”

5. “Without you, my life is falling apart. I am a hopeless, miserable man who doesn’t know what to do with his life anymore. Please don’t leave me in this abyss. Forgive my mistakes and stay with me.”

6. “I feel like an idiot, thinking that everything that happened is because of my immature mindset. I regret what happened. I wish I could still have the chance to come back and give you my warm, loving arms. I love you so much, and I am deeply sorry.”

7. “Every day and every night, I am haunted by my thoughts because of the pain I caused you. I regret giving you tears instead of laughter. I really messed up. Please forgive me.”

See also: 90 Best I’m Sorry Paragraphs For Her When You Messed Up

8. “I am too much of an idiot to make such a mistake and cost you to lose your trust in me. Believe me, it is never my intention. I’m sorry, and please forgive me.”

9. “My sweet wife, I’m sorry for being rude and hurting you with my bad mouth. The stress I have in my work is not a good reason for doing such cruelty. Please give me your forgiveness.”

10. “I love you more deeply as you showed me how strong you are as a woman who stood up and corrected me for the mistakes I made. It helped me change my heart and mind. Thank you. I’m sorry for being immature.”

See also: 100 Best I’m Sorry Paragraphs For Her To Make Her Forgive You

Apology Paragraphs For Him

1. “For the last few days, I have felt so lonely. I’m missing the sweetest hug from my man. I miss the nice words while my man is talking. I miss the kindest smile of my man. I am sorry, honey, please forgive me for my actions that hurt you.”

See also: 190 Heartfelt I Miss You Baby Quotes For Emotional Souls

2. “I am ready to do anything. I am ready to do everything. I am ready to take away all the hurt I made you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

3. “You are the hottest guy that deserves the most understanding girlfriend. I’m sorry for the tantrums that caused you to be annoyed. I promise to throw them away and choose you to be my comfort.”

4. “I’m sorry about the mistrust I give you. I realize that I have been so unfair towards you. Can I put my fingers in the spaces between your fingers back again? I love you.”

5. “I’m sorry for making you annoyed with my jealousy and possessive attitude. I am just afraid of the other girls. I promise to work out my temper and trust in your love.”

6. “I feel the pain of realizing that such a small mistake made us suffer like this. What a stupid act of mine. Can we not let our relationship end this way? Please accept me. Please forgive me.”

7. “I am now feeling the emptiness. How can I function now without you? I’m shedding tears because of the stupid mistake. I’m sorry, my love. Please forgive me.”

8. “Dear, I am guilty of what I have done. I beg your forgiveness. You are a man with a big heart. I love you even in times of challenges like this. This will never happen again.”

9. “A handsome, stunning, and loving man can never be mad at me. Please forgive me. I hope we can be back to normal mode because I miss you now.”

10. “Ever since we decided to date, we have met plenty of setbacks, bad times, and challenges. Yet, we never give up and never allow those to rotten our relationship. Can we not let it happen this time?”

See also: Top 120 Most Emotional Sorry Messages For Boyfriend

More Love Paragraphs To Say Sorry

1. “My dearest love, I don’t deserve forgiveness, but I request you to forgive me this time. I know my faults are huge, and I am a bad person to love. But trust me, you were always my first priority and will forever be. I’m sorry.”

2. “I know I’m imperfect, and I make mistakes. I promise not to make the same mistake again to hurt you. I never meant to tell you those words. I’m extremely sorry, and please forgive me, baby.”

3. “I want to enjoy the rest of my life with you. Please forgive me, baby. I won’t hurt you again. No one in this world cannot replace you, and I’m ashamed of myself.”

4. “I’m sorry for neglecting you while giving priority to other people and things. All I can say is I’m ashamed of myself for not treating you properly. Please give me another chance and let me fix everything in the right place.”

5. “While I hurt you, I hurt myself two times more. My heart is filled with sorrow. I’m always ready to make you happy, and I will make you happy in the future. Just give me one chance.”

6. “I’m sorry, babe, for hiding the truth from you. Please believe in me, and I will make everything like before. I am reassured that I will always be there for you, no matter what comes my way. I’m begging you to forgive me.”

7. “I love you, and I want you to know that I am very sorry, babe, for everything I did. You are the perfect partner anyone could ask for. I’m ashamed that I made an argument with you. Please give me time, and I’ll make everything like it used to be.”

8. “I don’t know what to do, knowing that I am the reason behind your tears. I just cling on to the hope that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

9. “You know how much I hate writing love letters, but for you, I can do anything. Whether it is writing a hundred apology letters. I am writing to let you know that I admit I did wrong to you, and I am sorry. I keep on disappointing you, but you keep on loving me. Please give me one last chance.”

10. “You are my sunshine. You light up my world as no one else can. I am sorry for letting you go. Without you, it’s darkness everywhere. Please forgive me. I will do anything to win your heart back.”

11. “You’ve occupied all of my thoughts. Things are beginning to fall out of place because the only person that gives me life isn’t here with me. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. I love you.”

12. “I am so sorry that my words and actions made you cry. I was not thinking. What can I do to make things better? I would do anything to make you smile again.”

13. “I always believe you are a person with a big heart. I would like to ask for another chance. I am asking humbly for your forgiveness for the things that disappoint you. I will never do this again.”

14. “Since the day you left, my life has crumbled into pieces. I find nowhere to go, and I am so lost. I have realized that without you in my life, it’s empty and incomplete. Please come back. I promise never to break your heart again.”

15. “You know I have never been good at words. So I don’t know if I am choosing the right words or not, but I know that what I feel is true, and I am truly ashamed of what I did. I am sorry.”

16. “My life is a mess without you. How on earth did you think I could live without you being by my side? I miss your good morning messages and your good night wishes. Please forgive me.”

17. “I don’t care how many times I have to say sorry to get your apology. I will do anything to make you happy again. Please never stop loving me. I am sorry for my stupid behavior. Please respond to my text message and let me prove it.”

18. “Before meeting you, I never knew life could be this beautiful. And now, when you are mad at me, there is nothing in this world that makes me happy. All I want is another chance.”

19. “I didn’t know my words would only push you further away. Please forgive me. Just give me one more chance to right my mistake. And I promise, my love, you won’t ever regret doing that.”

20. “My love, I just wanted to let you know that there is nothing in this world that is more dear to me than you are. I know things are not good between us right now, but I know that the love between us will not let you stay angry. I am sorry.”

Final Words

No matter the wrongdoings you may have done, don’t hesitate to use one of the great apology paragraphs from this list to say sorry and ask for forgiveness.

Your sincere apology paragraph will be much appreciated and will definitely get you closer to being forgiven.

Until next time!

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Letter of Apology • Apology Letter

Free sample letters of apology for personal and professional situations.

559 apology letter templates you can download and print for free. We have advice on writing letters of apology plus sample letters for personal, school, and business situations.

Here are the 10 most popular Apology Letters:

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• Apology For Flaking On Group Project
• Apology For Not Attending
• Late Apology
• Apology For Additional Expense Personal
• Apology For Complaining About Expense
• Apology For Late Submission
• Apology For Rejecting Offer
• Apology For Rushing You
• Apology For Tight Budget
• Apology For Car Causing Damage
• Apology For Child Breaking Item
• Apology For Complaining So Much
• Apology For Condition Of House Or Yard
• Apology For Dog Poop
• Apology In Advance For Loud Party
• Apology To HOA
• Sorry Cannot Attend Due To Human Rights Issue
• Apology For Adding To Schedule
• Apology For Error College Admissions Process Administration
• Apology For Error College Admissions Process Student
• Apology Including Request
• Apology For Privacy Breach School
• Declining College Acceptance
• Text Message Apology
• Text Message Mass Apology
• Apology For Being Late Happy Reason
• Apology For Being Late Sad Reason
• Apology For Huge Mistake
• Apology For Video Game Argument
• Apology For Big Mistake
• Apology For Not Following Through
• Apology For Small Mistake
• Apology With Action Steps
• Apology For Gambling
• Apology For Online Miscommunication
• Apology Not Your Fault
• Sorry For Gallows Humor
• Apology For Bad Meal
• Apology For Not Coming To Party
• Apology For Not Donating
• Apology With Pledge To Donate
• Sorry You Dont Feel Well
• Apology For Missing Rehearsal
• So Sorry For Bothering You
• Apology For Dog
• Apology For Missing Appointment Waive Fee
• Apology For Not Leaving A Tip
• Apology And Offer To Avoid
• Apology For Aggressive Behavior
• Apology For Making Someone Late
• Apology For Stealing Poem
• Apology When Done Nothing Wrong
• Sorry For Bothering You
• Sorry For What I Said
• Apology For Damage To Borrowed Car
• Apology Rude On Facebook
• Blanket Apology
• Twitter Apology
• Apology For Prank
• Apology For Something You Dont Remember
• Apology To Roommate Breaking Lease
• Apology To Roommate Cleaning
• Apology To Roommate Late Payment
• Apology for Bad Driving
• Non-Apology Apology
• Apology Letter For Bad Job Housesitting
• Apology Letter For Flaking
• Apology Letter For Missing Meeting
• Apology Letter Social Media
• Apology On Twitter
• Apology for Delayed Response
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• Apology Not Attending Wedding
• Informal Apology Letter
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• Blank Apology Letter
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• Letter of Apology for Delay
• Letter of Apology Examples
• Letter of Apology for Mistake
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• Sample Apology Letter
• Apology Letter for Dog Bite
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• Personal Letters of Apology
• Apology For Breaking Promise
• Apology For Forgetting Anniversary
• Apology For Interrupting During Personal Conversation
• Apology For Not Being Present During Crisis
• Apology For Thoughtless Comment
• Apology For Being Toxic
• Apology For Using Wrong Pronoun
• Apology To Rebuild Trust Personal
• Apology Validating Other Person Personal
• Apology For Venting
• Apology With Promise
• Apology For Coming On Too Strong
• Apology For Crossing A Line
• Apology For Crying Wolf
• Apology For Giving Up
• Apology For Insecurity
• Apology For Leading Someone On
• Apology For Past Mistakes
• Apology For Ruining Your Life
• Apology With Gift
• Apology For Disrespecting Religion Or Faith
• Apology For Downplaying Pain
• Roommate Apology
• Roommate Apology With Request
• Apology For Dating Your Ex
• Apology For Judging And Lecturing
• Apology For Overreacting Due To Health Issues
• Apology For Overreacting Due To Personal Trauma
• Basic Apology Personal
• Regrets For Not Attending Event
• Apology For Canceling Plans
• Apology For Movie Argument
• Apology For Not Respecting Decision
• Apology For Not Stepping Up
• Apology For Persistence
• Apology For Argument Standing Ground
• Apology For Insensitivity
• Apology For Not Attending Gathering
• Apology For Political Argument Agree To Disagree
• Apology For Being Blunt
• Apology For Being Distant
• Apology For Transmitting Contagious Disease
• Sorry For Believing Lies
• Sorry For Caregiver Fatigue
• Sorry I Was Only Trying To Help
• Apology For Embarrassing Someone
• Apology For Insulting Spouse
• Apology For Not Supporting Child Fundraiser
• Apology For So Many Texts
• Apology For Spreading Illness
• Clueless Apology Letter
• Sorry For Misspelling Name
• Sorry I Forgot To Get Item
• Sorry I Woke You
• Apology For Ruining Trip
• Personal Apology For Injury
• Sorry For Losing Contact
• Sorry For Losing Your Pet
• Apology For Anxiety
• Apology For Argument About Political Leader
• Apology For Bad Joke
• Apology For Forgetting To Invite You
• Apology For Ghosting
• Apology For Not Showing Up After RSVP
• Apology For Not Showing Up For Date
• Apology For Questioning Your Judgment
• Apology For Sharing On Social Media
• Apology For Waking Baby
• Apology For Waking Someone
• Apology For Walking In On You
• Apology For Watching Show Without You
• Apology For Ignoring Person
• Apology For Not Believing Person
• Apology For Snooping
• Apology For Stealing Girlfriend
• Apology For Trigger
• Christian Apology Letter
• Sorry That I Let You Go
• Apology Didn't Visit Sick Friend
• Apology For Hurtful Language
• Apology For Lice
• Apology For Misgendering
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• Apology For Taking Advantage Child Care
• Apology Houseguest Ruined Something
• Apology For Accusing Cheating
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• Apology For Passive Aggressive Behavior
• Apology On Behalf Of Partner
• Apology for Drunk Text
• Apology for Everything
• Apology for Jealousy
• Apology for Not Texting Back
• Apology Letter For Being Rude To Dog
• Apology Letter For Flaking On Lunch
• Apology Letter For Flipping Out
• Apology Letter For Overreacting
• Apology Letter Spreading Disease
• Apology for Wrong Name
• Apology to Get Ex Back
• Apology to In-Laws
• Apology to Old Friend
• Apology for Bounced Check
• Apology for Noise
• Apology for Verbal Abuse
• Apology Letter for Cancellation
• Apology Letter for Cell Phone Use
• Apology Letter for Missing Appointment
• Alcoholics Anonymous Apology Letter
• Apologize Letter for Not Attending
• Apology Divorce Letters
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• Apology Letter For Hurt Feelings
• Apology Letter for Not Attending
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• Apology Letter Girlfriend
• Apology Letter on Behalf of Child
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• Letters of Apology for Misbehavior
• Apology For Accidentally Taking Item
• Apology For Illegal Dumping
• Apology For Poaching
• Apology For Laundry Room Etiquette
• Apology For Misbehavior On Airplane
• Apology For Parking In Wrong Spot
• Apology For Spoiling A Movie Or TV Show
• Apology For Theft
• Apology For Personal Misstep
• Apology For Disregarding Public Health Guidance
• Apology For Downplaying Pandemic
• Apology For Spreading Covid
• Apology For Cultural Appropriation
• Apology For Hurtful Behavior
• Apology For Forgetting Dietary Restrictions
• Apology For Forgetting To Check
• Apology For Forgetting To Pick Someone Up
• Apology For Using Leverage
• Sorry For Dismissing Pandemic Concerns
• Sorry For Exposing To Virus
• Sorry For Hoarding Products
• Sorry For Not Following Health Guidelines
• Sorry For Violating Shelter-In-Place Orders
• Apology All My Fault
• Apology For Being Insensitive
• Apology For Making Fun
• Apology For Outburst
• Sorry For Being Curt With You
• Sorry For Being Defensive
• Sorry For Falsely Accusing You
• Apology For Clogging Toilet
• Apology For Invading Privacy
• Apology For Mansplaining
• Apology For Wedding Behavior
• Sorry For Being A Jerk
• Sorry For Being Mean
• Sorry For NSFW Message
• Apology For Allergen
• Apology For Bad Housesitting
• Apology For Borrowing Without Asking
• Apology For Insult
• Apology For Insulting Your Child
• Apology For Insulting Your Ex
• Apology For Being Lazy
• Apology For Body Slamming
• Apology For Bringing Up Painful Subject
• Apology For Abandoning Child
• Apology For Abandoning Partner
• Apology For Affair
• Apology For Avoiding Someone
• Apology For Cursing
• Apology For Emotional Affair
• Apology For Racist Comment
• Apology For Running Over Pet
• Apology For Temper
• Apology for Bad Apology
• Apology for Joke
• Apology for Offensive Behavior
• Apology for Offensive Tweet
• Apology Letter Alcoholic 12 Steps
• Apology Letter Alcoholic Step 9
• Apology Letter Yom Kippur
• Apology Letter Yom Kippur Betray Trust
• Apology Letter Yom Kippur Bad Behavior
• Apology for Addiction
• Apology for Getting Angry
• Apology for Offending Someone
• Apology to Victim
• Apology to Victim Family
• Apology for Assault
• Apology for Fire Alarm
• Apology for Gossip
• Apology for Graffiti
• Apology for Harassment
• Apology for Sexual Harassment
• Apology for Talking in Class
• Apology for Trespassing
• Apology for Vandalism
• Apology Letter For Drunkenness Funny
• Apology Letter for Infidelity
• Apology Letter for Plagiarism
• Apology Letter for Teasing
• Apology Letter for Unfaithfulness
• Apology Letter to Friend for Rudeness
• Apology to Pastor Church Disruption
• Apology Letter to Principal for Rule Breaking
• Insincere Apology Letter for Plagiarism
• Insincere Apology Letter for Shoplifting
• Apology Letter for Cheating
• Apology Letter for Shoplifting
• Apology Letter for Stealing
• Apology Letter to Judge
• Apology Letter to Police
• Car Accident Apology Letter
• Child Apology to Teacher
• Letter of Apology to a Teacher
• Letter of Apology to Teacher
• Letter of Apology to the Court
• Teen Apology to School
• Apology Letter False Accusations
• Apology Letter for Flirting
• Apology Letter for Libel
• Apology Letter for Slander
• Apology Letter for Telling a Secret
• Workplace Letters of Apology
• Apology For Interrupting During Meeting
• Apology For Oversight At Work
• Apology For Taking Credit For Idea
• Apology Letter From Boss
• Apology For Joint Workplace Project
• Apology For Additional Expense Business
• Apology For Quitting Job
• Apology For Short Notice
• Apology For Not Being More Clear
• Apology For Adding To Workload
• Apology For Bothering You Again
• Apology For Going Over Budget
• Apology For Not Understanding Technology
• Apology For Proofreading Error
• Apology For So Many Emails
• Apology For Technology Failure
• Apology For Wrongly Ordering Item
• Apology For Zoom Incident
• Sorry For Forgetting Video Call
• Sorry For Inappropriate Behavior Video Call
• Sorry For Stressful Workplace
• Apology For Going Home Early
• Apology For Not Completing Clerical Task
• Apology For Not Preparing For Meeting
• Apology For Sending Package Late
• Sorry For Not Being A Team Player
• Sorry I Thought You Were Working On That
• Apology For Backstabbing Coworker
• Apology For Missing Deadline
• Apology For Mistake Can Fix
• Apology For Mistake Can't Fix
• Apology For Eating Your Office Food
• Apology For Giving Unauthorized Interview
• Apology For Reply All Email
• Apology For Work Dress Code Violation
• Apology For Taking Client
• Apology Didn't Receive Email
• Apology For Copyright Violation
• Apology For Work Mistake Need Help
• Apology For Workplace Politics
• Apology Lying On Resume
• Apology Shared Company Secret
• Apology Working Slowly
• Apology For Bad English
• Apology For Crying
• Apology For Procrastination
• Apology For Typos
• Apology For Wrong Information
• Apology For Wrong Name Email
• Apology for No Show Interview
• Apology for Oversleeping
• Apology for Work Mistake
• Apology Letter For Assuming
• Apology Letter For Resigning Volunteer Position
• Apology for Insubordination
• Apology for Unprofessionalism
• Apology to Professor
• Apology Letter Declining a Job Offer
• Apology Letter to Boss
• Apology Letter to a Boss
• Apology Letter to Client
• Apology Letter to Lecturer
• Professional Apology Letter
• Apology Letter Email Error
• Apology Letter for Hacked Account
• Apology Letter to Employer Second Chance
• Apology Letter to Former Employer
• Sample Letters of Apology from a Business
• Apology For Customer Service
• Apology For Data Breach
• Apology For Delayed Product Launch
• Apology For Manufacturing Flaw
• Apology For Miscommunication With Client
• Apology For Misleading Advertisement
• Apology For Product Recall
• Apology For Website Technical Issues
• Apology To Rebuild Trust Business
• Apology Validating Other Person Business
• Apology For Quality Issue
• Apology For Bad Hair Cut Or Color
• Apology For Bad Manicure
• Apology For Damage
• Apology For Installation Issue
• Apology For Unsanitary Conditions
• Business Raising Rates With Apology
• Raising Premiums With Apology
• Raising Rent With Apology
• Senior Level Apology
• Apology For Delay Due To Volume Of Orders
• Apology For Holiday Delays
• Apology For Privacy Breach Business
• Basic Apology Business
• Third Party Apology
• Apology For Business Closure
• Apology For Cancelling Event
• Apology For Cancelling Order
• Apology For Cancelling Reservation
• Apology For Injury At Business
• Apology For Late Delivery
• Apology For Rude Employee
• Apology For Allergen Restaurant
• Apology For Dress Code Enforcement Mistake
• Apology For Inconvenience
• Apology Didn't Return Phone Call
• Apology For Inaccurate Bill
• Apology For Professional False Promise
• Apology For Server Outages
• Apology On Behalf Of Staff
• Apology To Library
• Apology for Double Charge
• Apology for Food Poisoning
• Apology for Hotel Overbooking
• Apology for Overbooking Pre-Arrival
• Apology for Overcharge
• Apology to Bad Review
• Apology to Guest
• Apology Letter For Low Rating
• Apology Letter For Misleading Customer
• Apology Letter For Missing Medical Appointment
• Apology for Defective Product
• Apology for Long Wait Time
• Apology for Unsolicited Email
• Apology to Candidate
• Apology to Patient
• Apology to Unsatisfied Customer
• Apology for Construction Noise
• Out of Stock Apology Letter
• Apology Letter from Airline
• Apology Letter from Airline Compensation
• Apology Letter for Copyright Infringement
• Apology Letter for Customer
• Apology Letter from Business
• Apology Letter from Hotel
• Apology Letter in Business
• Apology Letter to a Customer
• Apology Letter to Employee
• Letter of Apology Business
• Letter of Apology to Customer
• Letter of Business Apology
• Apology Letter for Damaged Goods
• Apology Letter Wrong Address
• Apology Letter Wrong Item Shipped
• Child Letters of Apology
• Child Apology Disruptive Behavior
• Child Apology For Cyberbullying
• Child Apology For Forging Parent Signature
• Apology For Missing Class
• Apology For Late Thank You Note
• Apology For Lying About Grades
• Apology For Lying About Money
• Apology For Not Completing Distance Learning Homework
• Apology For Arguing Child
• Apology For Sneaking By Child
• Apology For Cutting Class
• Sorry I Didnt Do Chores
• Apology For School Dress Code Violation
• Apology For Child Social Media
• Apology For Student Absent Vacation
• Child Apology Rude To Parents
• Apology for Egging House
• Apology Letter For Falling Asleep In Class
• Apology Letter For Not Doing Homework
• Apology Letter Yom Kippur Child
• Child Apology for Being Mean To Sibling
• Child Apology for Cursing
• Child Apology to Classmates
• Child Apology to Substitute Teacher
• Child Apology for Name Calling
• Child Apology Fill In The Blank
• Child Apology for Disrespect
• Child Apology for Hitting
• Child Apology for Lying
• Child Apology to Parent
• Apology Letter for Bad Attitude
• Apology Letter for Forgery
• Apology Letter for Wasting Time
• Public Apology
• Apology For Serial Harassment
• Apology For Wrongful Conviction
• Mass Apology Letter
• Public Apology For Lying
• Public Apology For Mockery Or Rudeness
• Apology For Retweeting
• Apology For Embezzlement
• Apology For Political Colleague
• Belated Apology
• Athlete Apology for Cheating
• Celebrity Apology for Arrest
• Political Apology for Action
• Political Apology for Statement
• Public Apology for Affair
• Apology Responses (NEW)
• Response Apology Academic Discipline
• Response Apology Amends
• Response Apology Crime Acceptance
• Response Apology Crime Rejection
• Response Apology Work Discipline
• Response Apology Offer Basic Personal
• Response Apology Offer Declined
• Response Apology Forgiven
• Response Apology Need More Time
• Response Apology Not Accepted
• Response Apology Not Necessary

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