I'm sorry I'm late!

I’m sorry I’m late!

When things go wrong which are our fault, we can use apologize or sorry. There are a few set patterns using these words you’ll want to memorize. Let’s check out this topic today.

In conversational English, apologize is a bit more formal than sorry.

Pattern #1 – Apologize + for + gerund (VerbING)

  • I apologize for missing your birthday.
  • Jack apologized for coming to the meeting late.
  • Tommy needs to apologize for breaking Mr. Kim’s window.

Pattern #2 – Apologize + for + noun

  • I apologize for the miscommunication.
  • Jack apologized his mistake.
  • Tommy needs to apologize for the accident.

Pattern #3 – be + sorry + for + gerund (VerbING)

  • I am sorry for missing your birthday.
  • Jack said he was sorry for coming to the meeting late.
  • Tommy told Mr. Kim that he is sorry for breaking the window.

Pattern #4 – be + sorry + for + noun

  • I am sorry for the miscommunication.
  • Jack said he is sorry for his mistake.
  • Tommy told Mr. Kim that he is sorry for the accident.

Also, be careful of this common mistake. Sometimes I hear students say, “I am sorry for late” or I am sorry to late,” but both of those sentences are not correct.  To apologize when you are late you can say:

  • I’m sorry for being late  (or)  I’m sorry I’m late

Do you know another way to apologize in English? If so, why not leave a comment here and share your idea?



Enter email address:

 

If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!