How to apologize and accept an apology

Part 1- Apologies
I’m sorry…
I’m so sorry …
I’m very sorry…
I’m terribly sorry…
Excuse me…
Pardon me…
I apologize…
I’m afraid…

Part 2 – Explaining oneself , accepting responsibility
…I wasn’t very well yesterday.
…I didn’t see you.
…It won’t happen again.
…I’ll be more careful next time.
…I’ll finish it before I go home.
…It’s my fault.
…It’s all my fault.

Listen to the above phrases, read about apologizing and accepting apologies.

ApologizingTo apologize is to tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused him inconvenience or unhappiness:

Examples
I must apologize to Isabel for my late arrival.
I’d like to apologize for my touble making.
Trains may be subject to delay on the northern line. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Here are some expressions you can use to make and respond to apologies.

Making apologies
I am sorry.
I do apologize for…
I must apologize for…
I apologize for…
I’d like to apologize for…
I am so sorry for…
I shouldn’t have…
It’s all my fault.
I’m ashamed of…
Please, forgive me for…
Excuse me for …
I’m terribly sorry for…
Pardon me for this…
Please, forgive me for my….
Please, accept my apologies for…

Accepting apologies
That’s all right.
Never mind.
Don’t apologize.
It doesn’t matter.
Don’t worry about it.
Don’t mention it.
That’s OK.
I quite understand.
You couldn’t help it.
Forget about it.
Don’t worry about it.
No harm done.

* Remember:
“I’d like to apologize.” is the short form of “I would like to apologize.”