apologies accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apologies accepted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to acknowledge someone's apology and indicate that you forgive them. Example: "After hearing his explanation, I said, 'Apologies accepted.'" Alternative expressions include "I accept your apology" and "Apology acknowledged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Apologies accepted on behalf of Anne, and of course your other questions still stand!

The Guardian - Books

Consider the apologies accepted, auteurs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Apology accepted.

The New York Times

Apology accepted, Len.

Independent

Apology accepted Josh.

The Guardian - Sport

"Rhodri, apology accepted," writes the magnanimous Alex Wright.

The Guardian - Sport

"Apology accepted, brother," Robert DeLeo said quickly, changing the subject and hustling on with the show.

The New York Times - Arts

If Purpose is a sort of mea culpa, the message from Texas on Thursday was: apology accepted.

The Guardian - Music

Apology accepted https://t.co/dYqwRv1p0f.

Huffington Post

Following the retraction, Scaramucci said CNN did the "right thing," declaring: "Apology accepted".

Huffington Post

Apology accepted, although I am still waiting for a refund of my upgrade money.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In digital communication like email, use this phrase to bring a swift and polite end to a minor misunderstanding.

Common error

While "apologies accepted" is great for social and professional rapport, it lacks the legal weight of a phrase like "waive all claims" or "release of liability". Do not rely on it as a formal discharge of duty in a legal context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apologies accepted" functions as an elliptical passive construction where the auxiliary verb "are" is omitted for brevity. According to Ludwig AI, it serves as a performative utterance that effectively nullifies a social debt or fault. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears as a direct response to a previous statement of regret.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apologies accepted" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to acknowledge contrition and move forward. While Ludwig AI shows that the singular "apology accepted" is more frequent in general usage, the plural form is a robust choice for complex situations or when speaking on behalf of a group. It is most prevalent in journalistic writing and professional dialogue. Writers should feel confident using this phrase to indicate that a matter is resolved and that no further justification is required. For the best impact, ensure the tone of the surrounding text matches the succinctness of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apology accepted

Uses the singular form, which is statistically more common in everyday speech

I accept your apology

A more direct, first-person active construction

your apology is accepted

Adds a linking verb for a more complete and formal sentence structure

no hard feelings

An idiomatic expression signaling that the conflict has not caused lasting resentment

all is forgiven

Broadens the scope of the acceptance to include the entire incident

apologies noted

More bureaucratic or formal, acknowledging the apology without necessarily expressing forgiveness

accepted with grace

Indicates a kind or dignified manner of forgiving

don't mention it

A dismissive response that suggests the transgression was minor

it is water under the bridge

A metaphorical way to say the past mistake no longer matters

consider it forgotten

Stronger emphasis on moving forward and erasing the memory of the fault

FAQs

How do I use "apologies accepted" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone response or as part of a sentence like: "The board reviewed your statement and "apologies accepted" was the general consensus."

What is the difference between "apology accepted" and "apologies accepted"?

The main difference is number; use "apology accepted" for a single mistake and "apologies accepted" when there are multiple errors or a collective set of apologies being acknowledged.

Is it more formal to say "I accept your apologies"?

Yes, "I accept your apologies" is more formal because it uses a complete subject and verb, whereas "apologies accepted" is a shortened, elliptical phrase typical of conversation and news headlines.

Can I say "apologies accepted" in a business email?

Certainly. It is a professional way to move past a blunder. If you want to be even more polite, you might say "your apologies are noted and accepted".