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Lecture 5

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Lecture 5

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sardargulfam
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Lecture 5

Regrets and Apologies


Review of Lecture 4
• In lecture 4, we learnt how to
– Use polite expressions of invitations
– Invite others through telephone call
– Accept an invitation politely
– Decline an invitation politely
– Write short invitation letter / email
– Write a follow-up letter / email
Objectives of Lecture 5
• After completing lecture 5, you should be able
to
– Differentiate between regrets and apologies
– Use expressions of regrets
– Use expressions of apology
– Accept an apology graciously
– Write a letter of apology
Regret or Apology?
• Regret
– when something has happened, and you would be
happier if it had not happened
"Do that again and you will be sorry."
"I'm sorry you didn't pass your exam. Better luck
next time.“
"I'm afraid I can't let you in - the play has started.“
“I’m afraid I can’t come.”
Regret or Apology?
• Apology
– When you think you’ve done something wrong and
you admit responsibility
"I am sorry that I was late".
"I am sorry that I was so rude".
"I shouldn't have done what I did
yesterday."
“I hope you can forgive me for coming late”.
Expressing Regrets
• To announce a bad news
– I’m sorry ….
– I’m afraid ….
• To express wish against present or past reality
– I wish / if only + S + Simple Past
– I wish / if only + S + Past perfect
Use the Correct Form of Verb
1. The coach trip to Paris was very exhausting. I wish I (fly) there
instead of taking the coach.
2. I have three books to study for my next exam. I wish I (read)
some of them last Summer!
3. I am hungry now. I can’t concentrate on my lesson. If only I
(take) some breakfast this morning.
4. I wish I (not/stay up) late last night! I feel very tired now.
5. I have lost my keys. I wish I (can/remember) where I put them.
But, I can’t.
6. There is no rain in our region this Winter. I wish it (rain) these
days. But, it has been sunny.
7. I have got 14/20 in my English test. I wish I (have) more.
Expressing Apologies
• To admit responsibility
– I’m sorry ….
– I (really) must apologize….
– Please forgive me for ….
– I owe an apology for ….
– I accept (full) responsibility for ….
– I feel so ashamed for ….
– It was quite stupid / foolish of me to ….
Expressing Apologies (Cont…)
Apologies can be informal:
I'm really sorry about this.
Look, I know I was wrong. It's my fault I can't apologize enough
for forgetting the tickets.
The noun "apology" or the verb "apologize" is often used in
formal apologies.
"Mr. Jones sends his deepest apologies for not attending the
meeting".
"We apologize for the delay in answering your call."
"Please accept our most sincere apologies for this error."
What goes with Apologies?
Excuses
"I was so hungry I ate the rest of the cake. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry about my homework, teacher, the goat ate it.“
Intentions
"I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry."(Informal.)
"We deeply regret any inconvenience, as this was not our
intention."(Formal)
"Oh, am I late? I'm sorry."
"Is this your seat? Oh, I do apologize."
"Did I tread on your foot? I'm sorry. Are you all right?"
What goes with Apologies? (Cont…)
Exclamations
"Oops! I did it again."
"Oh dear! I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"Oh no! I do apologize. Let me help you pick it up.“
Intensity Words
"I'm sorry"
"I'm very sorry."
"I'm really very sorry."
"I'm terribly / extremely / awfully sorry.“
Receiving an Apology
• Gracious acceptances suggest that the offence was
either very small, or already forgotten, or both.
For example:
– "That's ok" "No problem" "Don't mention it" "It
happens" (For small matters)
– (If someone apologizes for bumping into you, you
might reply "Sorry" - for getting in his way.)
– "It's quite all right" "It's not important." "Don't worry
about it" (For more serious matters)
– "We'll say no more about it" (For very serious matters)
Receiving an Apology (Cont …)
• Ungracious acceptances of "sorry" . (For when you are still
angry.)
– "You should be." "Well, that's not good enough" "Don't do it again"
"Oh, all right then." "Quite right, too".
• English people may sometimes refuse to accept an apology by
pretending that it has not been given - but sometimes they
may pretend the same thing to show that they don't think the
problem was important.
– "I'm sorry I'm late." "Let's get started, shall we?"
– "I'm sorry I lost it." "I'll go and get another one."
• Or they can tell you (sometimes very rudely) to go away,
which means that they do not accept your apology.
Template for Apology Letter
(courtesy: http://www.apologyletters.net/letter_of_apology_for_mistake.php)

Dear {Recipient}
Please accept my deepest apologies for my mistake in regard to {state
mistake}.
It was not my intention to create such an awkward and embarrassing
situation for {you, institution, the team, company, etc…}.
If there was any good that came out of this unfortunate experience, it
is that I have grown and learned alternative approaches to these
situations.
Please feel free to let me know of your thoughts and concerns over
this matter. You can reach me at {email, phone number}.
Sincerely,
{Sender}
Practice Situations
• Apologize for a late payment
• Apologize for missing an appointment
• Apologize for misbehavior
• Apologize for damaged property
• Apologize for postponing an event
Summary of Lecture 5
• In lecture 4, we learnt to
– Differentiate between regrets and apologies
– Use expressions of regrets
– Use expressions of apology
– Accept an apology graciously
– Write a letter of apology

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