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How to apologise in English professionaly without just saying sorry.

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Apologising in a professional manner in a business email is important, as it helps to maintain a positive and productive working relationship with colleagues, clients, or partners.

If English is not your mother tongue, it is sometimes less obvious to express yourself with the right nuances and impact. Apologising for something is one of those things where you are quick to just say "sorry" when you don't really want to express it that way.

 

Ways to apologise in English.

Apologising professionally without using the word "sorry" can be challenging, but it is possible to convey remorse and express regret in a tactful and effective manner.

Here are some phrases that you could use when sending an email in English to apologise:

Ways to apologise professionaly in English

  • I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

  • I regret any frustration or disappointment that this situation may have caused.

  • I want to express my apologies for any disruption that this may have caused.

  • I'm writing to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the recent issue.

  • I am sorry to hear that this has caused an issue for you, and I want to do what I can to make it right.

  • I apologise for any misunderstanding or miscommunication that may have led to this situation.

 

Remember that in any apology, it's important to acknowledge the issue and to take responsibility for any mistakes or miscommunications.

Here are some phrases that you could use:

Ways to acknownlede an issue and take responsibility when apologising in English

  • I understand that the delay in our project has caused inconvenience for your team and impacted your timeline.

  • I take full responsibility for the delay and I understand how frustrating this must be for you.

  • I am truly sorry for the delay and for any disruption or inconvenience that it may have caused your team.

  • We experienced an unexpected technical glitch, which led to the delay in delivering your order. We understand how frustrating this must have been for you, and we're truly sorry for the inconvenience.

  • We take full responsibility for this mistake and are taking the necessary steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.

 


Next step in your apology?

Finding a solution! Offer a clear and actionable plan to address the issue at hand.

Ways to propose a solution when apologising in English

  • To make things right, I am committed to ensuring that we get the project back on track as quickly as possible, and will be dedicating additional resources to help speed up the process.

  • Thank you for bringing this to my attention and please know that I am committed to working with you to ensure a successful outcome for both of our teams.

  • We will take steps to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future and appreciate your continued support.

  • We are taking the necessary steps to ensure this doesn't happen again. Our technical team is working around the clock to resolve the issue and we'll keep you updated on the progress.

  • To make up for the delay we'd like to offer you a 10% discount on your next order, or we can expedite your current order free of charge.

 

Your final step in your apology is ending your email with a positive note. Apologise (again) and thank the receiver for his/her understanding. 

Ways to thank someone for his understanding when apologising in English

  • Thank you for your understanding and patience throughout this situation.

  • We apologise once again for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time

  • Your understanding and patience has been crucial in helping us resolve this issue.

  • We truly appreciate your understanding and patience and want you to know how much it means to us.

  • Once again, thank you for your understanding and patience, it has been invaluable to us.

 

Ways to professionaly respond to an apology in English.

When someone apologises to you, it's important to respond in a professional and constructive manner. Especially if you need to maintain a good working relationship with them. 

Try to respond with empathy and understanding and to focus on finding a solution or a way forward. Focus on what can be done to improve the situation and move forward in a positive manner.

Here are some ways to respond professionally to an apology:

Ways to respond professionally to an apology in English

  • Thank you for acknowledging the situation and taking responsibility for it.

  • I appreciate your apology and I accept it.

  • I understand that mistakes happen, and I am willing to move forward and work towards a solution.

  • I am glad that we can have an open and honest conversation about this, and I am confident that we can find a way to resolve this together.

  • I appreciate your efforts to make things right, and I am willing to work with you to find a resolution.

 

Do you need help to feel more confident using certain expressions when emailing in English?

Email writingThen you can consult one of our language coaches at Squidll.

Together you can broaden your vocabulary and practise useful expressions until you can actively and confidently use them when writing emails in English.

Sign up on Squidll, find a business language coach who fits your needs and start on Squidll today.

 
 
 

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Would you like tailored support to enhance your professional language skills? If so, why not consult one of our expert language coaches on Squidll, BLCC’s online language platform?
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