apologizing

USAGE SUMMARY

'apologizing' is correct and usable in written and spoken English.
It is an action verb that means to express regret for something one has done wrong. For example, "I apologize for being late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Lauer asked if he thought that his errors there were worthy of an apology, Bush said no: I mean, apologizing would basically say the decision was a wrong decision… And I don't believe it was the wrong decision.

The New Yorker

How about when he went out apologizing to every third world tyrant for America?

The Economist

There is nothing shameful about acknowledging and apologizing for past crimes committed in the name of your country.

The Economist

The agreement allowed the United States to publicly disavow the confession the crew had signed, admitting the ship's intrusion, apologizing, pledging to cease all future action, and acknowledging the truth of confessions obtained during captivity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2003 Queen Elizabeth II issued a royal proclamation apologizing for the forced deportation of the Acadians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Steele quickly backtracked from his comments, however, apologizing to Limbaugh and calling him a "national conservative leader".

Encyclopedia Britannica

He had a sense of humour, apologizing to a visitor for not keeping a pet raven.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On December 3 the government of Mykola Azarov survived a no-confidence vote in the parliament after apologizing for the brutal crackdown, but violence continued to escalate, especially around government buildings and the Trade Unions building, the opposition's temporary headquarters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A printer of Parma in 1473, apologizing for careless work, explained that others were bringing out the same text, and so he had to rush it through the press "more quickly than asparagus could be cooked".

Encyclopedia Britannica

MESSAGE: @IGGYAZALEA, you have exactly 48 hours from now to release a statement apologizing to @AzealiaBanks and the protesters in NYC... MESSAGE:@IGGYAZALEA if you do not do so, the memory of you will burn from the public faster than the moment you surfaced.

Independent

#unitedfortahera boycott @united airlines, until they issue a statement apologizing to tahera ahmad + fire the racist flight attendant.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "apologizing", be sincere and specific about the offense. Avoid vague statements and take ownership of your actions.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly "apologizing" without demonstrating a change in behavior or understanding the impact of your actions. Empty apologies can erode trust.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "apologizing" is as a gerund or present participle, functioning as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense. It describes the act of expressing regret or remorse, which aligns with what Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apologizing" functions primarily as a gerund or present participle, used to express regret and take responsibility, as supported by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "apologizing", sincerity and specificity are key; avoid overuse without genuine remorse. Consider alternatives like "expressing remorse" or "saying sorry" for varied expression. The examples provided by Ludwig show the wide use of the word and its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Saying sorry

A more direct and common way to express apology.

Offering an apology

Highlights the act of giving an apology.

Expressing regret

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow about an event or action.

Expressing remorse

Focuses on the feeling of deep regret or guilt.

Regretting actions

Emphasizes feeling sorry for one's behavior.

Acknowledging fault

Stresses the acceptance of responsibility for errors.

Offering contrition

Highlights sincere remorse and penitence.

Seeking forgiveness

Implies asking for pardon after an offense.

Making amends

Suggests taking actions to correct a wrong.

Atoning for wrongdoing

Focuses on making reparations for bad actions.

FAQs

How do I use "apologizing" effectively in a sentence?

"Apologizing" is typically used as a gerund or present participle. For example, "He was "apologizing" for his mistake" or "Apologizing is the first step to reconciliation".

What are some alternatives to saying "apologizing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "saying sorry", "offering an apology", or "expressing remorse".

Is it always necessary to be "apologizing" in a professional setting after a mistake?

While it's crucial to acknowledge errors, the key is to "offer a sincere apology" and focus on rectifying the situation rather than just repeatedly "apologizing". Being proactive in fixing the issue speaks louder than words.

What's the difference between "apologizing" and "making excuses"?

"Apologizing" involves taking responsibility for one's actions and expressing regret. "Making excuses", on the other hand, is an attempt to justify or explain away the wrongdoing, often without taking full responsibility. The intent is what differs the two expressions.