Ever been late and had to come up with a creative excuse? Or maybe you bumped into someone and needed to apologize quickly? Perhaps someone did something nice for you, and you wanted to show your appreciation in a way that didn’t sound robotic?
Mastering the language of apologies, excuses, and thanks is essential for polite and natural conversations in English. Whether you’re saying sorry, explaining why you forgot your friend’s birthday (again!), or showing gratitude for a free coffee (score!), this lesson has got you covered.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll know exactly how to apologize smoothly, give excuses like a pro, and express thanks like a native speaker—all while keeping things light, polite, and natural. Let’s dive in!
Vocabulary List: Apologies, Excuses, and Thanks
Apologies (Saying Sorry)
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Sorry | A basic way to apologize. | Sorry, I didn’t mean to step on your foot! |
| I apologize | A more formal way to say sorry. | I sincerely apologize for the mistake in your order. |
| My bad | A casual way to admit a mistake. | Oops, my bad! I didn’t see the wet paint sign. |
| I didn’t mean to | Used to explain that something wasn’t intentional. | I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. |
| It was my fault | Taking responsibility for something. | It was my fault that we missed the bus. |
| I messed up | Admitting a mistake in a casual way. | I messed up the meeting time, didn’t I? |
| Forgive me | A formal way to ask for forgiveness. | Please forgive me for forgetting our anniversary! |
| I owe you an apology | A serious way to acknowledge a mistake. | I owe you an apology for being rude yesterday. |
Excuses (Explaining Yourself, Even If It Sounds Suspicious)
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| I got stuck in traffic | A common excuse for being late. | Sorry I’m late, I got stuck in traffic. |
| I lost track of time | Used when you forgot the time. | I lost track of time while watching Netflix. |
| Something came up | A vague excuse when you don’t want to explain. | I couldn’t make it—something came up. |
| I wasn’t feeling well | A polite way to say you were sick. | I missed work because I wasn’t feeling well. |
| I had a family emergency | A serious excuse that usually works. | I had a family emergency, so I had to leave early. |
| My alarm didn’t go off | The classic excuse for waking up late. | I swear, my alarm didn’t go off this morning! |
| I completely forgot | An honest excuse for forgetting something. | I completely forgot about our lunch plans! |
| I was running late | A common way to explain a delay. | I was running late, so I took a taxi instead. |
Thanks (Expressing Gratitude Like a Pro)
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | A basic and polite way to show gratitude. | Thank you for your help with my project! |
| Thanks a lot | A slightly stronger way to say thank you. | Thanks a lot for lending me your book! |
| I really appreciate it | A way to show deep gratitude. | I really appreciate your support! |
| Much obliged | A formal way to express thanks. | Much obliged for your assistance, sir! |
| I can’t thank you enough | Used when you’re extremely grateful. | I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done! |
| Cheers | A casual way to say thanks, especially in the UK. | Cheers for grabbing me a coffee! |
| Many thanks | A slightly formal but friendly way to say thanks. | Many thanks for your kind words! |
| Big thanks to… | Used to show appreciation to someone publicly. | Big thanks to John for helping me move! |
Key Phrases Using Apologies, Excuses, and Thanks
- “I’m really sorry for being late—I completely lost track of time!”
- Example: “I’m really sorry for being late—I completely lost track of time while watching cat videos.”
- Example: “Sorry for the delay! I lost track of time while cleaning.”
- “I had a family emergency, but I really appreciate your understanding.”
- Example: “I had a family emergency, but I really appreciate you covering for me.”
- Example: “Thanks for waiting—I had a family emergency.”
- “My bad! I forgot to reply to your message. Thanks for the reminder!”
- Example: “My bad! I totally forgot we had plans.”
- Example: “Oops, my bad! Thanks for reminding me about the deadline.”
- “Something came up at work, but thanks for being so patient!”
- Example: “Something came up, and I couldn’t make it—sorry!”
- Example: “Thanks for your patience, something unexpected came up.”
- “I messed up, and I owe you an apology—thank you for being so understanding.”
- Example: “I messed up on the report, but I appreciate your help fixing it.”
- Example: “I owe you an apology, but I also owe you a coffee for being so nice about it!”
Example Paragraph Using Apologies, Excuses, and Thanks
“Yesterday, I was supposed to meet my friend for lunch, but I completely forgot! When she called me, I said, “Oh no, my bad! I lost track of time!” She wasn’t happy, so I quickly added, “I owe you an apology—and maybe a coffee?” Thankfully, she forgave me. Later, when I finally arrived, I said, “Thanks for waiting, and I really appreciate your patience.” She laughed and replied, “Next time, just set an alarm.” Lesson learned!”
Common Questions About Apologies, Excuses, and Thanks
- What’s the difference between “I’m sorry” and “I apologize”?
- Example: “I’m sorry” is more casual, while “I apologize” is more formal.
- What’s a polite way to make an excuse for being late?
- Example: “I got stuck in traffic” or “I lost track of time.”
- Can I say “thanks” instead of “thank you”?
- Example: Yes! “Thanks” is more casual, while “thank you” is more formal.
- How do I politely refuse an apology?
- Example: “No worries, it happens” or “That’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
- What’s a good way to accept thanks?
- Example: “You’re welcome” or “No problem!”
Invitation to Practice
Have you ever had to give an excuse for being late, apologize for something, or thank someone in a special way? Try writing a short dialogue using at least one apology, one excuse, and one way to say thanks! Share your response in a study group or in the comments!