My apologies meaning in English

Learn how to use My apologies correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot More than 8 million learners worldwide

Definition

my apologies: sorry, excuse me, forgive me idiom
to apologize (US), to apologise (UK): to say sorry, to express regret, to ask for forgiveness, to beg pardon verb
(an) apologetic (letter, person): (a letter) to say sorry or express regret, (a person) who often says "sorry" adjective

UK: I would like to apologise for the delay.
US: Please accept my apologies for reading your journal while I was waiting - It's very interesting.

Examples

  • "Bruno : My apologies, Mr. Warbuckle."
  • "apology /əˈpɒlədʒi/ Pronunciation: [uh-pol-uh-jee]"
  • "Please accept my apology"
  • "Please send my apologies to Bruno."
  • "Examples: "The government sent a letter of apology after destroying the village by drone strike."
  • "Bruno : Apologies great one, it is I, Bruno Delavigne."
  • "Thank you for your time, Mr. Delavigne, and my most sincere apologies for what transpired earlier."
  • ""Apologies are like flowers;"
  • "Anyway, I'm expecting a full written apology or I'm going to tell your family about your wicked San Francisco "lifestyle"."
  • "Susie : Yes, Mr. Delavigne sends his apologies."
  • "Examples: "She demanded a letter of apology from me after I destroyed her life."
  • "Philip : One more apology, and I am so finished!"
  • "I would like to take the time to send you this letter of apology."
  • "Bruno : My apologies, Harold, but the delay couldn't be avoided."
  • "Philip : One more apology, and I am so finished."
  • "Alright, only one more apology to make and I am done!"
  • "Rupert : Oh, my apologies."
  • "■ noun plural:apologies"
Exercise 1
In the phrase, "please accept my apologies", what is the meaning of the word "apologies"?
In the phrase, "please accept my apologies", what is the meaning of the word "apologies"?
"My apologies" means "regrets" or "condolences".
"Advice" is not a synonym of "apologies".
"Story" is not a synonym of "apologies".
"Speech" is not a synonym of "apologies".
Exercise 2
Complete the notes that Brian wrote when listening to his messages.

Message 1:

Message 2:

Message 3:
Complete the notes that Brian wrote when listening to his messages.

Message 1: Re-send attachment 1

Message 2: Pay overdue bill 2

Message 3: Send apology email (urgent) 3
1 Re-send attachment: This is correct. In the first message, Icarus says, "You emailed me Bruno's expenses for this month but I think you forgot to include the spreadsheet". A "spreadsheet" is a document that contains tables of (financial) information. Brian forgot to attach or include this document with his email, therefore has to resend it.
1 Pay overdue bill: This is incorrect. The first message has a financial theme (expense spreadsheet) but it does not mention an overdue (or "late") bill or invoice.
1 Send apology email (urgent): This is incorrect. When Brian re-sends the spreadsheet (as an attachment) he will have to send an email. However, an apology isn't the purpose of the mail, even if he might say "sorry" for the delay.
1 Lend horse to Charlie: This is incorrect. There is no mention of a horse in this message.
2 Pay overdue bill: This is the best choice here. The vet (animal doctor) says that Brian's horse is dead, and that she "won't be able to give it a decent burial until (Brian) settles last month's invoice". A "burial" describes the ritual of placing a dead body in a grave. "To settle an invoice" is to pay a bill. This is the action required for this message.
2 Send apology email (urgent): This is not the best choice here. Writing an email is not the action required for this message.
2 Re-send attachment: This is not the best choice here. Re-sending an attachment is not the action required for this message.
2 Lend horse to Charlie: This is not the best choice here. There is no mention of Brian lending or giving the horse to Charlie on the condition that it will be returned. Unfortunately, the horse is dead. Charlie could perhaps give the horse to a conceptual artist like Damian Hirst who would transform it into a work of art? Next correction? I understand...
3 Send apology email (urgent): This is correct. Charlie says he is "expecting a full written apology" because Brian didn't phone him at the Elkie Johns concert. Charlie threatens to tell Brian's family about Brian's "wicked San Francisco lifestyle". This means Charlie would say bad things about Brian's life in San Francisco if he doesn't receive a letter saying "sorry". That's why it's urgent!
3 Pay overdue bill: This is not the best choice here. There is no mention of money or financial matters in this message.
3 Re-send attachment: This is not the best choice here. Re-sending an attachment is not the action required for this message.
3 Lend horse to Charlie: This is not the best choice here. There is no mention of a horse in this message.
Exercise 3
"Oh, I am apologize. My English is not all right."

Stephanie's English is not very good. Which of the following could express her intended meaning?
"Oh, I am apologize. My English is not all right."

Stephanie's English is not very good. Which of the following could express her intended meaning?
This is correct. An "apology" is an expression of regret. This noun is often used in the plural and carries the same meaning as "I apologise", for example: Oh, my apologies, I didn't see you there.
This is grammatically incorrect. The verb "to apologize" cannot be preceded by the verb "to be".
This is correct. "I'm sorry" (or "I am sorry") comes from the form "to be sorry" and is used to express regret or sympathy, for example: I'm sorry I'm late. "Sorry" is an adjective, not a verb, so needs to be preceded by a verb, usually "to be" or "to feel".
This is correct. Stephanie's mistake is that she uses a verb "to be" before the verb "to apologize" and this is not needed. "To apologize" is to say sorry or to express regret, for example: I apologize to you for being late.
This is incorrect. On its own "excuse" does not exist as an expression. The expressions "excuse me" and "pardon me" are often used to express regret.
Exercise 4
Complete the sentences below according to the dialogue you just heard.

When Brian Jones enters the office, he is .

Brian has come to tell Bruno about .

Before Brian appeared, Bruno was .
Complete the sentences below according to the dialogue you just heard.

When Brian Jones enters the office, he is excited 1.

Brian has come to tell Bruno about the company's new phones 2.

Before Brian appeared, Bruno was meditating 3.
1 excited: This is correct. Brian is very "excited" due to the arrival of the new phones. He has trouble articulating real words because of his excitement.
1 anxious: This is incorrect. "Anxious" generally describes "nervousness" or "stress", though it can sometimes describe anticipation (I am anxious to discover what happens next). Brian's behavior in this scene is more excited than "anxious".
1 apologetic: This is incorrect. An "apologetic" person expresses that they are "sorry" or "remorseful" about something. For example: The waiter was apologetic after we told him we found a fly in our soup.
1 bored: This is incorrect. A "bored" person feels dull, repetitive, tedious, or unexcited about something. For example: With nothing to do all day, Horatio was so bored that he decided to read a book.
2 the company's new phones: This is correct. Brian has come to tell Bruno about the arrival of the new Mega Wega Dega phones, which is very exciting news. Brian specifically wants Bruno to record a message using the new phones.
2 a problem with the phones: This is incorrect. Brian mentions no problems with the phones.
2 a personal problem: This is incorrect. Brian mentions no problems, personal or otherwise.
2 an important phone call: This is incorrect. Brian hasn't come to discuss an important phone call.
3 meditating: This is correct. Bruno asks Brian why he has interrupted his (Bruno's) meditation. He later informs Brian that he is wearing a towel. Both indicate that Bruno was meditating before Brian arrived.
3 sleeping: This is incorrect. Bruno is awake when Brian enters his office. Bruno never says that he was sleeping.
3 bathing: This is incorrect. Although Bruno does inform Brian that he is wearing a towel, he mentions that he was "meditating", not bathing.
3 on the phone: This is incorrect. There is no indication that Bruno was on the phone when Brian entered the office. Bruno tells Brian that he has interrupted Bruno's meditation.

Still unsure of the best way to use 'My apologies'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment

Absolutely free - no strings attached.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH