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'I'm sorry' is overused, boring and can make you seem weak - improve your spoken English with these 17 alternative phrases for 'I think'. STOP saying 'I'm sorry' and say this instead!

 

1. I owe you an apology for…

Example: I owe you an apology for what happened in Christmas party.

 

1. I take full responsibility for my actions.

Example: I take full responsibility for my actions – I should never have let my hair down in such an unprofessional way.

 

To let your hair down: - to allow yourself to behave much more freely than usual and enjoy yourself.

 

 

1. It was wrong of me/on my part…

Example:

I hadn’t actually planned to attend. I just stopped by on the way home from the pub. This was wrong on my part.

 

1. I’m so/very sorry…

Example:

I am so very sorry for telling the receptionist that she looked like a marshmallow – her pink frilly dress was actually very cute.

 

1. I’m ever so sorry…

Example:

I’m ever so sorry for loudly discussing how low our salaries are – this should’ve been discussed in private.

 

1. I’m terribly/awfully sorry…

Example:

I’m awfully sorry for starting a very successful conga whilst you were trying to deliver your wonderful, yearly ‘thank you’ speech.

 

1. It was thoughtless/careless of me…

Example:

It was completely thoughtless of me to shout out ‘hey lady this isn’t the Oscars, get a move on’ when I thought your speech had gone on a little wrong.

 

 

1. I sincerely apologise…

Example:

I sincerely apologise for acting so despicably with your husband.

 

Despicable: - deserving hatred and contempt.

 

1. I hope you can forgive me…

Example:

I hope you can forgive me for pulling your husband onto the dancefloor, using his tie.

 

 

1. I hope I can be forgiven…

Example:

I hope I can be forgiven for dragging him on to the buffet table with me.

 

 

1. I didn’t mean too…

Example:

I didn’t mean to get sour cream dip all over his trousers.

 

1. I shouldn’t have…

Example:

I really shouldn’t have tried to clean the dip off there and then.

 

there and then: - immediately, in that moment. 

 

1. I deeply regret…

Example:

I deeply regret telling you to ‘back off and find your own man!’ when you came over to help.

 

1. I messed up…

Example:

I messed up when I tried to start a fistfight with you.

 

Fistfight: - a fight between people using their hands but no weapons.

 

1. I was in the wrong…

Example:

 When I caught you in the headlock, I was in the wrong.

 

Headlock:  - a method of restraining someone by holding an arm firmly around their head, especially as a hold in wrestling.

 

1. I really hope you can find it within you to…

Example:

I really hope you can find it within you to drop the assault charges against me.

 

To drop charge: - to no longer officially accuse someone of a crime.

 

 

1. It won’t happen again…

Example:

I really promise it won’t happen again. So…can I have my job back?

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