expression of apology

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expression of apology" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a statement or gesture that conveys regret or remorse for a mistake or offense. Example: "His expression of apology was sincere, and it helped to mend their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There was neither any expression of apology or guilt for any activities by Constantinople's clergy in Ukraine, nor any compromise by Constantinople to its honorable desire to end church politics in Ukraine, nor again any promise by Constantinople about diminishing its relationship with the Orthodox faithful of Ukraine.

Huffington Post

The concept of appreciation and apology overlapping is common in Japanese culture has been explained in cases of aborted fetuses as an expression of "apology" to a mizuko for having done wrong to it and merely expressing "thanks" to it for having vacated its place in the body of a woman and having moved on, leaving her relatively free of its physical presence [ 43].

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I'm sorry" laws, which hold expressions of apology, fault or sympathy to be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability, are an important step in the right direction toward achieving the balance for which Mr. Levy calls.

The New York Times

There's a delicious moment when, having stolen the wax from two votives in the local church's shrine to the Virgin Mary, she looks up at the Mother of God with an expression of guilty apology and irrepressible joy.

The New York Times

"The Chinese market is very important, so I flew here in person in the hope my personal expression of an apology and explanation will give customers some relief," Mr. Toyoda told news conference of the recall.

The New York Times

The aide returned with a long face of apology.

The New Yorker

Obama avoided any direct expression of remorse or apology for the bombings, a decision that some critics had worried would allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim.

Huffington Post

They rejected both an expression of "regret" and an "apology for humanity's sake".

The Economist

This was followed by the police department's tweet, in which Demoff's expression of regret was compared to a definition of "apology" from the Merriam-Webster dictionary: "Expression of regret for not being able to do something".

The Guardian

But as an alternative, there is the nonapology apology, an expression of contrition that typically involves regret or remorse but stops short of a full-blown apology.

The New York Times

To deny this as a society is to push healthy expressions of sexuality into a place of apology and shame and if Catholicism has taught us anything it's that this isn't a shrewd thing to do.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, pair "expression of apology" with specific actions or commitments to demonstrate sincerity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "expression of apology" in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "I'm sorry" or "My apologies" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expression of apology" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of conveying regret or remorse. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expression of apology" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the act of conveying remorse. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is useful in English but relatively uncommon, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like "statement of regret" or "formal apology", it's important to consider the level of formality required for the specific situation. When aiming for a more casual tone, simpler alternatives such as "I'm sorry" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expression of remorse

Synonymous, simply replaces "apology" with "remorse".

statement of regret

A more formal alternative, suitable for official contexts.

sincere apology

Highlights the genuineness of the apology.

apology statement

This alternative uses a more direct and concise phrasing.

formal apology

Emphasizes the structured and official nature of the apology.

offering of apology

Focuses on the act of presenting an apology.

gesture of regret

This focuses on the non-verbal communication of remorse.

words of remorse

Highlights the spoken or written expression of feeling sorry.

act of contrition

This phrase implies a more formal or religious expression of repentance.

plea for forgiveness

Emphasizes the request for pardon after an offense.

FAQs

How can I use "expression of apology" in a sentence?

You might say, "His "expression of apology" seemed genuine, but the damage was already done" or "The company issued an "expression of apology" for the data breach".

What's a more formal way to say "expression of apology"?

A more formal alternative is a "statement of regret" or a "formal apology", often used in official communications.

What can I say instead of "expression of apology" in a casual conversation?

In casual contexts, simpler phrases like "I'm sorry" or "My bad" are often more appropriate than "expression of apology".

Is there a difference between "expression of regret" and "expression of apology"?

While similar, "expression of apology" explicitly conveys remorse for a specific action, whereas "expression of regret" might indicate sorrow for a situation without necessarily admitting fault.