48 Phrases – How to Apologize in English

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Have you ever said “Sorry!” or needed to interrupt someone? Sometimes, we make mistakes and need to apologize 😔, or we need to ask for a moment of someone’s time ⏳. In today’s lesson, we will learn how to say sorry and how to politely ask for someone’s attention in English. These 48 phrases will help you sound respectful and kind in everyday conversations.

48 Ways to Say Sorry and Ask For Someone’s Attention

How to Apologize in English 52 1

1. Common Apologizing Phrases 🙏

When you make a mistake or want to show that you are sorry, these phrases will help you express your apology:

  1. Sorry! 😟
    It is a simple and quick way to apologize.
  2. Pardon. 🧐
    A more formal way to say “sorry.”
  3. I beg your pardon. 🧎‍♂️
    A polite and formal way to apologize.
  4. I am terribly sorry. 😔
    A way to express that you are very sorry.
  5. I am really sorry. 😞
    Another way to show that you feel bad about something.
  6. I am awfully sorry. 😣
    A very strong apology.
  7. Excuse me. 🤔
    Use this to politely get someone’s attention or to apologize.
  8. Excuse me, please. 🙏
    A more polite way to say “excuse me.”
Also Read: How to Express Opinions in English

2. Asking for a Moment of Someone’s Time

Sometimes you need to interrupt or ask for someone's attention. Here are some useful phrases to use:

Sometimes you need to interrupt or ask for someone’s attention. Here are some useful phrases to use:

  1. Just a moment, please. ⏳
    A polite way to ask for a short wait.
  2. Wait one minute. ⏱️
    Telling someone to wait for one minute.
  3. Wait a minute. ⏳
    Similar to “Wait one minute.”
  4. This will take a second. 🕐
    If you need only a little time.
  5. This will take a minute. ⏲️
    If you need a minute to finish something.
  6. Please wait a second. ⏳
    Another polite way to ask for a little time.
  7. Please wait a moment. ⏰
    You can use this to ask for a short wait.
  8. Hold on for a second. 🖐
    Another way to say “wait a moment.”
  9. Hold on for a moment. 🕰️
    Asking someone to wait for just a little while.
  10. Excuse me a moment. 👀
    A polite way to say you need a quick break or need to speak.
Also Read: 22 Polite Interruption Phrases

3. Taking Responsibility for a Mistake

If you made a mistake and want to take responsibility, use these phrases:

If you made a mistake and want to take responsibility, use these phrases:

  1. That’s my fault. 😓
    A simple way to say you are responsible.
  2. Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. 🧠
    A way to explain that you were distracted.
  3. Sorry, I was negligent. 🚶‍♂️
    A formal way to say you were careless.
  4. It’s my fault. 😔
    Another way to accept responsibility.
  5. It was careless of me. 🙈
    Admitting you were not careful.
  6. I’m to blame. 😞
    A more serious way to say you are responsible.
  7. I’m responsible for that. 💼
    Saying you are in charge of the mistake.
  8. I did that, sorry. 🙋‍♂️
    A direct way to say you made the mistake.
  9. I did it, sorry. 🙇‍♀️
    Another simple way to admit your mistake.

4. Expressing You Didn’t Mean It

Sometimes, we say something by mistake and need to explain it was not our intention. Use these phrases:

Sometimes, we say something by mistake and need to explain it was not our intention. Use these phrases:

  1. I didn’t mean that. 😞
    Saying you didn’t intend to say something.
  2. My mistake. 🙇‍♂️
    A simple way to admit you were wrong.
  3. I was mistaken. 😔
    A polite way to say you were wrong.
  4. I messed up. 🤦‍♀️
    A more casual way to say you made a mistake.
  5. I made an error. ❌
    A formal way to explain you made a mistake.
Also Read: 16 Conversations to Make New Friends

5. Asking if You Are Bothering Someone

If you are not sure if it’s a good time to speak, use these questions:

If you are not sure if it’s a good time to speak, use these questions:

  1. Am I disturbing you? 🚶‍♂️
    A polite way to check if someone is busy.
  2. Is this a good time? 🕒
    Asking if it’s okay to talk now.
  3. Are you busy? 🏃‍♀️
    Checking if the person has time for you.
  4. Am I intruding? 🚪
    A polite way to ask if you are interrupting.
  5. Am I interrupting? ⛔
    A way to check if you are bothering someone.
  6. Am I bothering you? 🙋‍♂️
    Asking if you are causing trouble.

Also Read: 17 Advanced English Phrases for Everyday Speaking

6. Responding to an Apology

When someone apologizes, you can say:

When someone apologizes, you can say:

  1. Never mind. 🙌
    A way to tell someone it’s okay.
  2. Think nothing of it. 🤷‍♀️
    Telling someone not to worry about it.
  3. Put it out of your mind. 🧘‍♂️
    A way to tell someone not to think about the mistake.
  4. Oh, it’s nothing. 🙃
    Saying that it wasn’t a big deal.
  5. No big deal. 🤷‍♂️
    Letting someone know the mistake was small.
  6. It’s okay. 🙂
    A simple way to forgive someone.
  7. It’s nothing. 🙋‍♂️
    Telling someone their apology isn’t necessary.
  8. Forget it. 🧠
    A way to say don’t worry about it.
  9. Don’t worry about it. 🌸
    Reassuring someone it’s fine.
  10. Don’t mention it. 🤐
    A polite way to tell someone not to talk about it again.

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