We apologize unreservedly

You will mostly see this in writing. It is the star of formal emails, press releases, and official statements. Because it uses the word unreservedly, it sounds very sophisticated. You can use it as a complete sentence or follow it with for to explain the mistake. For example: We apologize unreservedly for the data breach. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a wedding; it shows you take the event very seriously. If you say it out loud, say it slowly. The word unreservedly has five syllables (un-re-zer-ved-ly), so don't rush it!

Use this when the mistake is big. We are talking about things that cost people money, time, or trust. If a bank loses your records, they should apologize unreservedly. If a airline cancels all flights for a week, this is the phrase they need. In your personal life, you might use it if you’ve truly hurt a close friend’s feelings and want them to know you aren't making excuses. It’s for those 'oops' moments that are actually 'oh no' moments.

Do not use this for small, everyday things. If you bump into someone at the grocery store, saying I apologize unreservedly will make you sound like a time-traveling Victorian gentleman or a very confused robot. It’s too heavy for minor mistakes. Also, avoid using it if you are still trying to defend yourself. If you say, We apologize unreservedly, but it wasn't our fault, you have just ruined the whole point of the phrase. The 'but' cancels out the 'unreservedly.'

This phrase is deeply rooted in British and Commonwealth formal English. It reflects a culture where maintaining 'face' and professional dignity is important. In the corporate world, an apology is often a legal minefield. Using unreservedly is a signal to the public that the company is moving past the legal defense and into the 'making it right' phase. It became the 'gold standard' for public relations after several high-profile corporate scandals where 'sorry' just wasn't enough.

You can swap the pronoun if you are speaking for yourself: I apologize unreservedly. You can also use it as a noun phrase: Please accept our unreserved apologies. Sometimes people add even more weight by saying We apologize sincerely and unreservedly. It’s like adding extra sprinkles to a very serious, very professional cupcake.