Letter of Apology - How to Write and Examples

In this article, you will learn how to write letters of Apology in English with the help of sample opening and closing sentences and sample letters. This article will help you to write FCE Apology Letters, PET Apology letters, Apology letter for ZNO exam and The Unified State Exam (EGE). You can download the examples of letters of Apology in word and pdf for free.

A letter of apology can be either formal or informal. It can be written when someone has made a mistake, has failed to perform a duty or is not able to fulfil a promise. The main body contains reasons for the inconvenience caused. In the final paragraph you can express your hope to improve the situation or promise to make up for any problems that have been caused.

Useful Language for Letter of Apology

How do you start a letter of Apology?

Opening Remarks for Letter of Apology:

Formal

• I am writing to apologise for
• l must apologise for
• Please accept my sincerest apologies for
• How can I apologise enough for
• l must apologise profusely for

Informal

• I hope you will understand when I say that
• What can I say, except I'm sorry that…
• l’m sorry for
• I owe you an apology
• l’m so sorry if I upset you in any way
• I can’t describe how sorry I am and how guilty I feel

Closing Remarks for Letter of Apology:

Formal

• Once again, sincerest apologies for
• l hope you will accept my apologies
• l hope my apologies will be/are accepted

Informal

• I hope you believe me when I say how sorry I am
• l can’t tell you how sorry I am
• I beg you to forgive me for
• There is no excuse for... and I hope you’ll forgive me

Formal letter of apology sample 1

Example Letter of Apology: Apologise for a defective, damaged, or incomplete product:

Dear Mrs. Green.

I am writing in response to your letter of 22 July regarding the faulty equipment which was delivered to your office on 20 July. 1997.

Firstly, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. After looking into the matter, we discovered that a number of the word processors of the model you received had a faulty part. We are at pre-sent waiting for the delivery of replacement parts, and as soon as they arrive we will send a service...

Formal letter of apology sample 2

Example Letter of Apology: Apologize for poor or inadequate service:

Dear Mrs. Brown.

On behalf of Sunrise Travel, please accept my sincere apologies for your dissatisfaction with your Caribbean holiday in February.

Due to a computer error we were forced to change your accommodation at the last minute to what we had been led to believe was a hotel of equally high stand­ard. Sadly, it was not until later that...

 

Formal letter of apology sample 3

Example Letter of Apology: Apologise for the disgraceful conduct:

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I am writing to you to apologise for the disgraceful conduct of a member of our staff towards you on Saturday April 23rd. I realize how much this must have upset you, and I hope that we can resolve the matter agreeably.

Due to my absence at the time, l was unable to apologise to you in person. However, I always take such incidents extremely seriously and, following your letter of complaint, the member...

Informal letter of apology sample 4

 Example Letter of Apology: Apology for the long wait:

Dear Jack,

I'm writing to say sorry for keeping you waiting at the station last weekend.

When I missed the train I was so upset I completely forgot to phone you at once to let you know. By the time I phoned you had already left for the station. I want to apologise for being so thoughtless, I promise you it won't happen again. I still feel rotten for not contacting you, so to make up.

I'd like to invite you to my house for the Easter...

Informal letter of apology sample 5

Example Letter of Apology: Apology letter for not attending wedding:

Dear Peter.

I’m writing to say how sorry I am about not being able to attend your wedding. I hope it was a wonderful day. and I also hope you’ll forgive me for not being there.

I know that excuses aren’t much use. but I thought I’d explain what prevented me from coming anyway. While I was getting ready, the phone rang and my boss said that an out-of-town client had just arrived...

Informal letter of apology sample 6

Example Letter of Apology: Apologise for offensive behavior:

Dear Sarah!

I am writing to tell you how sorry I am about what happened last week.

I’ve been meaning to tell «sorry» since then, but I’ve been busy and didn’t have time. I want you to know I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, and I am sorry that I did. I was really...