Lecture 5

Regrets and Apologies

 • In lecture 4, we learnt how
to
– Use polite expressions of
invitations
– Invite others through
Review telephone call
of – Accept an invitation politely
– Decline an invitation politely
Lecture 4 – Write short invitation letter /
email
– Write a follow-up letter /
email
 • After completing lecture 5,
you should be able to
Objectives – Differentiate between
regrets and apologies
of Lecture – Use expressions of regrets
5 – Use expressions of apology
– Accept an apology graciously
– Write a letter of apology
 • Regret
– when something has
happened, and you would be
happier if it had not
happened
Regret or "Do that again and you will be
sorry."
Apology? "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.”
 • Apology
– When you think you’ve done something wrong
and you admit responsibility
"I am sorry that I was late".
Regret or "I am sorry that I was so rude".
"I shouldn't have done what I did

Apology? yesterday."

late”.
“I hope you can forgive me for coming
 • To announce a bad news
– I’m sorry ….
– I’m afraid ….
• To express wish against
Expressing present or past reality
Regrets – I wish / if only + S + Simple
Past
– I wish / if only + S + Past
perfect
 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

Use the 3.
wish I (read) some of them last Summer!
I am hungry now. I can’t concentrate on my
lesson. If only I (take) some breakfast this
Correct 4.
morning.
I wish I (not/stay up) late last night! I feel very

Form of 5.
tired now.
I have lost my keys. I wish I (can/remember)
where I put them. But, I can’t.
Verb 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.
 • To admit responsibility
– I’m sorry ….
– I (really) must apologize….
– Please forgive me for ….
– I owe an apology for ….
Expressing – I accept (full) responsibility
Apologies for ….
– I feel so ashamed for ….
– It was quite stupid / foolish
of me to ….
 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.
Expressing The noun "apology" or the verb
"apologize" is often used in formal
Apologies apologies.
(Cont…) "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."
 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
What goes "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm
with sorry."(Informal.)
"We deeply regret any inconvenience,
Apologies? 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?"
 Exclamations
"Oops! I did it again."
"Oh dear! I'm so sorry. Did I hurt
you?"
What goes "Oh no! I do apologize. Let me help
you pick it up.“
with Intensity Words
Apologies? "I'm sorry"
(Cont…) "I'm very sorry."
"I'm really very sorry."
"I'm terribly / extremely / awfully
sorry.“
 How to
say sorry • https://
by BBC www.youtube.com/watch?
v=gBUVQCCE_Ek
Learning
English
 Gracious acceptances suggest that the
offence was either very small, or
already forgotten, or both.

For example:
Receiving
an Apology • "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)
 • 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".
Receiving • English people may sometimes refuse to accept
an apology by pretending that it has not been
an Apology given - but sometimes they may pretend the
same thing to show that they don't think the
(Cont …) 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 Dear {Recipient}
(courtesy: Please accept my deepest apologies for my mistake in
http://www.ap regard to {state mistake}.
It was not my intention to create such an awkward
ologyletters.net and embarrassing situation for {you, institution, the
/letter_of_apol team, company, etc…}.
ogy_for_mistak If there was any good that came out of this
unfortunate experience, it is that I have grown and
e.php) 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}
 • Apologize for a late
payment
• Apologize for missing an
appointment
Practice • Apologize for misbehavior
Situations • Apologize for damaged
property
• Apologize for postponing an
event
 • In lecture 4, we learnt to
– Differentiate between
Summary regrets and apologies
of – Use expressions of regrets
– Use expressions of apology
Lecture 5 – Accept an apology graciously
– Write a letter of apology