humbly apologize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "humbly apologize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a sincere and modest apology for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "I would like to humbly apologize for my oversight in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I just have to humbly apologize.

The New York Times

I regret and humbly apologize to the dead souls".

The New York Times

"I humbly apologize to Chileans for those mistakes," Mr. Piñera said in a statement Thursday.

The New York Times

"I humbly apologize to Governor Palin, and to both national and local press and media," she added.

The New York Times

"To all the people of Indonesia, I humbly apologize for being unable to solve fully the prevailing problems during the last 10 months," he said.

The New York Times

And with that in mind, I humbly apologize to Mr. Alford in advance for correcting him in such a public manner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But Gehry quickly and humbly apologized for the gesture, citing jet lag and a "bad moment".

The New Yorker

For us, the worst part of the whole spectacle was that the contestants could not ask the bachelor any questions, which even he humbly apologized for.

The New York Times

Toyota's chief humbly apologized for a deadly crash, the company has made two giant recalls, first to fix loose floor mats, which could jam under the accelerator pedal, and then to shorten the pedals themselves, and will put an electronic cutoff in future cars.

Forbes

No apology is adequate, but I do apologize sincerely and humbly on behalf of myself and our priests for any hurt inflicted on our people over the years by clergy or lay employees of the archdiocese.

The New York Times

It apologized humbly and promised to do better.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "humbly apologize" conveys sincerity, in certain professional or business settings, a more direct apology might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "humbly apologize" in situations that require direct accountability and action. Overusing it can come across as insincere or deflect responsibility. Instead, clearly state what you did wrong and what steps you'll take to rectify the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "humbly apologize" functions as a speech act, specifically an apology. It combines an adverb ('humbly') modifying a verb ('apologize') to express regret or remorse in a modest and unassuming manner. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase is indeed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "humbly apologize" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express sincere and modest regret for a mistake or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of the audience and situation, as directness and accountability are also important. Alternatives such as "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Therefore, understand the specific connotation you aim to create while conveying remorse and responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincerely apologize

Replaces 'humbly' with 'sincerely', focusing on the genuineness of the apology.

genuinely apologize

Similar to 'sincerely apologize', emphasizing the authenticity of remorse.

deeply regret

Shifts from explicitly apologizing to expressing profound regret.

express sincere remorse

Replaces 'apologize' with a more formal expression of regret and sorrow.

offer a humble apology

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of offering an apology with humility.

contritely apologize

Uses 'contritely', highlighting the feeling of remorse and penitence.

humbly beg forgiveness

Emphasizes seeking forgiveness with humility, adding a stronger element of supplication.

apologize unreservedly

Focuses on the lack of reservations or conditions in the apology.

express profound regret and apologize

Combines expressing deep regret with a formal apology.

offer my sincerest apologies

A more formal and emphatic way of conveying sincere regret.

FAQs

What does it mean to "humbly apologize"?

To "humbly apologize" means to express remorse and regret for a mistake or wrongdoing in a modest and unassuming manner, acknowledging one's own role in the situation.

When is it appropriate to use "humbly apologize"?

It is appropriate to use "humbly apologize" when you want to convey genuine remorse, especially when addressing someone of higher status or after committing a significant error. However, consider the context and audience, as a more direct apology might be preferred in some situations.

Are there alternatives to saying "humbly apologize"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "sincerely apologize", "genuinely apologize", or "deeply regret" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "humbly apologize" and simply saying "I apologize"?

Adding "humbly" to "apologize" emphasizes the sincerity and modesty of the apology. It suggests a deeper level of remorse and a recognition of one's own fallibility compared to a simple "I apologize".