We offer our sincere apologies
Formal business communication expression
Use this phrase to professionally apologize for business errors and maintain a positive corporate image.
En 15 secondes
- A professional way for groups to say they are sorry.
- Best used in business emails, letters, and official announcements.
- Shows high accountability and respect for the other person's time.
Signification
This is a very polite and professional way for a company or group to say they are sorry for a mistake. It shows that the organization takes the problem seriously and wants to make things right.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6A flight is delayed by four hours
We offer our sincere apologies for the delay to your flight today.
We offer our sincere apologies for the delay to your flight today.
A restaurant brings the wrong meal
We offer our sincere apologies for the mix-up with your order.
We offer our sincere apologies for the mix-up with your order.
A software company has a server outage
We offer our sincere apologies for the service interruption this morning.
We offer our sincere apologies for the service interruption this morning.
Contexte culturel
In Western business culture, the 'corporate apology' is a vital tool for maintaining brand reputation. Using the word 'sincere' is a linguistic attempt to humanize a large, faceless corporation. It became a standard part of customer service scripts during the rise of the service economy in the late 20th century.
The 'We' vs 'I' Secret
Always use 'we' when writing for a company. It makes the apology feel like it comes from the whole brand, not just one person.
Don't Overuse It
If you say this for every tiny thing, it starts to sound fake. Save it for mistakes that actually inconvenienced someone.
En 15 secondes
- A professional way for groups to say they are sorry.
- Best used in business emails, letters, and official announcements.
- Shows high accountability and respect for the other person's time.
What It Means
This phrase is the gold standard for professional regrets. It tells someone that your entire organization feels bad about a mistake. It sounds much heavier and more respectful than a quick sorry. You are basically handing over a formal gift of regret. It moves the conversation from a mistake to a solution.
How To Use It
Put this right at the start of your communication. It sets a tone of accountability immediately. You usually follow it with the word for to explain the mistake. For example, We offer our sincere apologies for the delay. It works best in writing, like emails or formal letters. It sounds polished and prepared.
When To Use It
Use this when a business mistake affects a customer. If a flight is canceled, the airline says this. If a hotel loses a reservation, they say this. It is perfect for situations where money or time was lost. It shows you take the person's frustration seriously. It is a bridge back to a good relationship.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this with your best friend. If you forget to text them back, don't say this. It will sound like you are a robot or a bank. Also, avoid it for tiny, harmless mistakes. It can feel a bit dramatic if the problem was small. Keep it for when professionalism is required.
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, a formal apology is a social shield. It helps de-escalate angry customers before things get worse. There is a huge emphasis on "customer service excellence" in the US and UK. This phrase is a key tool in that world. It acknowledges the customer's value.
Common Variations
You might hear Please accept our apologies or We sincerely apologize. If the mistake is huge, people say We offer our deepest apologies. For something slightly less formal, try We are very sorry for the inconvenience. Each one changes the "temperature" of the apology slightly.
Notes d'usage
This is a high-register phrase. Use it in emails, official letters, or when speaking as a representative of a company. Avoid using it in casual conversations as it may come across as cold or sarcastic.
The 'We' vs 'I' Secret
Always use 'we' when writing for a company. It makes the apology feel like it comes from the whole brand, not just one person.
Don't Overuse It
If you say this for every tiny thing, it starts to sound fake. Save it for mistakes that actually inconvenienced someone.
The British Nuance
In the UK, people might say 'My apologies' in a semi-formal way, but 'We offer our sincere apologies' remains strictly for business.
Exemples
6We offer our sincere apologies for the delay to your flight today.
We offer our sincere apologies for the delay to your flight today.
Standard airline communication to keep passengers calm.
We offer our sincere apologies for the mix-up with your order.
We offer our sincere apologies for the mix-up with your order.
Used by the manager to show the restaurant cares about quality.
We offer our sincere apologies for the service interruption this morning.
We offer our sincere apologies for the service interruption this morning.
Common in tech support emails to all users.
Oh, we offer our sincere apologies for keeping your majesty waiting!
Oh, we offer our sincere apologies for keeping your majesty waiting!
The high formality makes it sound funny in a casual setting.
We offer our sincere apologies for the error on your monthly statement.
We offer our sincere apologies for the error on your monthly statement.
Crucial for rebuilding trust after a financial mistake.
We offer our sincere apologies for this breach of your privacy.
We offer our sincere apologies for this breach of your privacy.
Used in very serious, high-stakes emotional situations.
Teste-toi
Complete the professional email sentence.
We ___ our sincere apologies for the technical issues you experienced.
In formal English, we 'offer' apologies rather than 'giving' them.
Choose the correct adjective to complete the phrase.
Please accept our ___ apologies for the late delivery.
'Sincere' is the standard adjective used to show genuine regret in business.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Apology Formality Scale
Used with friends for small mistakes.
My bad!
Standard everyday apology.
I'm so sorry.
Professional business communication.
We offer our sincere apologies.
High-level legal or diplomatic regret.
We express our deepest regrets.
When to Use 'We Offer Our Sincere Apologies'
Shipping Delay
Package is late.
Billing Error
Overcharged customer.
Bad Service
Rude staff member.
Event Cancellation
Concert is called off.
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt means 'honest' or 'genuine.' It tells the customer that you aren't just saying sorry because you have to, but because you actually feel bad.
Only if you are texting a client in a very professional capacity. For friends, it sounds way too stiff and robotic.
In business, yes. 'We are sorry' is okay, but 'We offer our sincere apologies' sounds more structured and respectful.
Yes, usually you add for [the reason] right after the phrase, like for the inconvenience or for the error.
It is used in both! It is a universal standard for professional English worldwide.
Yes, as a leader, using 'we' shows that you take responsibility for your team's mistakes.
In this specific phrase, we almost always use the plural apologies to make it sound more formal and substantial.
You can, but it sounds very old-fashioned. 'We' is much more common in modern business.
Often, yes. Lawyers use it because it acknowledges a mistake without necessarily admitting legal guilt in some contexts.
Usually, you should offer a solution, like: We will issue a full refund immediately.
Yes! We offer our sincerest apologies is even more formal and emphasizes the regret even more.
Not at all. While some startups prefer casual language, most established businesses still rely on this for serious issues.
Expressions liées
Please accept our apologies
A slightly softer but still formal way to say sorry.
We deeply regret the inconvenience
Used for very serious service failures or delays.
We are sorry for the trouble
A more neutral, less formal version of the phrase.
Much to our regret
A very formal way to introduce bad news or an apology.
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