Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello,

Do you think the following sentence is too wordy? Would you encourage a second language learner to use it? Maybe in a formal context?

"I must apologise to you for being late."

Thank you,

Nawee

[Anuradha Chepur]

I would say the apology shouldn't be unnecessarily lengthy. Remember the other person is already irked and being wordy will make matters worse.

[nawee]

And suggestions please. In a more formal context, for example, if someone is late for an appointment. How should we apologise? Something professional (apart from tryin not to be late in the first place =P) and appropriate.

Thank you,

Nawee

[Anuradha Chepur]

Let us check this out with native speakers.

[nawee]

Contributors to this board who are native speakers, can you please help? It's difficult for me to ask a native speaker where I work.

Thank you,

Nawee

[Nef]

You can say this or something similar:

"I'm sorry to be late."

"I'm sorry I'm late."

I apologize for being late!"

[CP]

"My apologies for being late to the meeting, Mr. Jones. I was held up in traffic. I won't let it happen again."

"I am so sorry that we're late to your dinner party, Mrs. Smith. We took a wrong turn and didn't realize our mistake for quite a while."

"Forgive me for being late, everyone. I hope I didn't inconvenience you too badly."
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb