a string of apologies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a string of apologies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of apologies given in succession, often indicating that someone is repeatedly expressing regret for their actions. Example: "After realizing the mistake, she offered a string of apologies to her colleagues for the confusion caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The call from Mr. Reid was the latest in a string of apologies Mr. Obama has accepted over the years, underscoring the sometimes uneasy evolution of race and politics in America.

The New York Times

July 2012: then Barclays chairman Marcus Agius began what was to become a string of apologies by the bank in a public letter "The industry, and Barclays, got it wrong on occasions.

The Guardian - Business

The contents boil down to little more than a string of apologies for finking out on a commission: the weather's been bad; the kiln's been cold; I've been sick, etc.

The New York Times - Arts

Emerson issued a string of apologies to British media outlets over his "terrible, inexcusable error" during a broadcast last weekend and has also donated £500 to the city's children's hospital.

The Guardian

Over the past few weeks, Ms. McCaskill has paid back the costs of the flights, which were first reported by Politico, and the back personal property taxes, which she disclosed as interest in the plane grew, while offering a string of apologies.

The New York Times

The company has publicly denied any wrongdoing, and Vietnam's government has issued a string of apologies and conflicting explanations.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

PRESIDENT BUSH dispatched a special envoy, a Navy admiral, to Japan last week to make another in an extraordinary string of apologies for the sinking of a fishing school boat off Hawaii by an American submarine early last month.

The New York Times

When my daughter was about 4 years old, she'd just received (at our prompting, of course) the latest in what must have felt like an endless string of apologies from her older brother for hitting her.

Huffington Post

Livingstone initially refused to say sorry, then offered a string of half-hearted apologies, before finally being forced by the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to issue an "unreserved" apology.

The Guardian

Mr. Ensign's string of apologies and his back-to-business demeanor in the months since his news conference appear to have helped him ride out the political storm.

The New York Times

Samsung's patriarch added to the apologies for a string of scandals at the South Korean electronics giant with a donation to society of 800 billion won ($825m) this year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a string of apologies", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is offering the apologies and what they are apologizing for. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a string of apologies" repeatedly within a short span of writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement; consider using synonyms like "series of apologies" or describing the apologies more specifically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of apologies" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a sequence of apologies. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a string of apologies" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a series of apologies, often related to mistakes or missteps. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various communication settings. While synonyms like "a series of apologies" or "multiple apologies" exist, "a string of apologies" conveys a nuanced sense of sequential apologies, that might be numerous or even insufficient. When employing this phrase, ensure clear context and avoid overuse for the most impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of apologies

This alternative replaces "string" with "series", maintaining the core meaning of multiple apologies given one after another.

a succession of apologies

The word "succession" highlights the sequential nature of the apologies.

a barrage of apologies

"Barrage" suggests a large quantity of apologies, potentially delivered quickly and intensely.

a flurry of apologies

"Flurry" implies a rapid and somewhat chaotic delivery of apologies.

an unending stream of apologies

This emphasizes the continuous and seemingly never-ending nature of the apologies.

a constant flow of apologies

Similar to "stream", this highlights the continuous nature of the apologies.

a collection of apologies

This alternative is a less dynamic way of saying a "string of apologies" and it's more static

a litany of apologies

"Litany" suggests a formal and perhaps repetitive delivery of apologies.

a catalog of apologies

"Catalog" implies a complete and systematic list of apologies.

multiple apologies

This is a more direct and simple way of stating that there were several apologies.

FAQs

How can I use "a string of apologies" in a sentence?

You can use "a string of apologies" to describe a situation where someone has offered several apologies, such as: "After the incident, the company issued "a string of apologies" to its customers."

What are some alternatives to "a string of apologies"?

Alternatives include "a series of apologies", "a succession of apologies", or simply "multiple apologies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a string of apology" or "a string of apologies"?

"A string of apologies" is correct. "Apologies" is plural because it refers to multiple instances of apologizing. "Apology" would be singular, implying only one instance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a string of apologies"?

Use "a string of apologies" when you want to emphasize that someone has offered multiple apologies, often in response to a series of mistakes or missteps. It suggests a pattern of apologizing.