Definition apologize in British English

Ways of apologizing

Sorry/I’m sorry

the usual way of apologizing to someone you know well

I do apologize for...

a more polite and formal way of apologizing, used especially when you feel responsible for something that someone else has done

Excuse me

used when apologizing for something you did accidentally

I beg your pardon

a more formal way of apologizing for something you did accidentally

I/We owe you an apology

used when you realize you have treated someone badly, for example by blaming them for something that is not their fault

Please accept my/our apologies

used when making a written or formal apology

I/We regret...

used when making an apology in an official announcement

Examples:

I’m sorry I’m late, Amy. I missed the train. ♦ I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear what she said.

I do apologize for Julie’s behaviour. She’s normally so reliable.

Oh, excuse me, I didn’t see you standing there.

I beg your pardon, I didn’t mean to interrupt.

We’ve discovered who the thief was, and it seems we owe you an apology.

We accept that this was the company’s fault and ask you to accept our sincere apologies.

My apologies if I have offended you in any way.

We regret to announce that tonight’s performance of ‘La Traviata’ has been cancelled.

Ways of accepting an apology

That’s quite all right/There’s no need to apologize

used when telling someone that you do not mind what they have done

No problem

used when telling someone you know well that you do not mind what they have done

Examples:

‘I’m sorry I’m late.’ ‘That’s quite all right, I’ve only been waiting for a minute.’ ♦ There’s no need to apologize, it was an easy mistake to make.

‘I’m sorry I can’t help you.’ ‘No problem, I’ll ask Rory.’