Unit 2: English In A Minute
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Session 34
What phrases can you use to apologise to your boss? Let Sam teach you in this English In A Minute.
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Activity 1
Ways to say 'sorry' part 2 - formal apologies
What phrases can you use to apologise to your boss? Let Sam teach you in this English In A Minute.
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Sam
Let’s take a minute to have a look at different ways you can apologise in a formal situation.
Imagine you’re in an important meeting at work and you interrupted your boss.
To say sorry, you might say:
Sorry …
Excuse me …
Pardon me…
Apologies…
I sincerely apologise for… interrupting or for the interruption
Because for is a preposition, you can either use a gerund or a noun.
Now imagine you’re in the same important meeting at work and you give a presentation in front of your boss that is incomplete and full of mistakes.
To say sorry, you might say:
I’m afraid I didn’t finish the presentation.
Don’t be confused – afraid does not mean scared here – it’s like sorry, but more formal.
And notice that after afraid, we put a full clause or sentence.
Ways to say 'sorry' part 2 - formal apologies
If you’re in an important meeting at work and you interrupt your boss, you should apologise.
To say sorry, you start your :
Sorry …
Excuse me …
Pardon me…
Apologies…
I sincerely apologise
If you want to say why you are apologising, we often use the word for.
Because for is a preposition, you can either use a gerund or a noun after it.
- Sorry for interrupting you.
- Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you.
- Sorry for the interruption.
You can also use the word afraid to mean sorry. After afraid, we put a full clause or sentence.
- I'm afraid I forgot the meeting.
- I'm afraid to say that you're out of line.
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Which of these words can also mean 'sorry'?Question 1 of 3
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Which type of word doesn't normally come after 'for'?Question 2 of 3
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Which sentence is wrong?Question 3 of 3
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