please accept our apologies

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "please accept our apologies" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when apologizing for a mistake or inconvenience caused to someone. Example: "Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your email. We have been experiencing technical difficulties. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Welcome, and before we begin – please accept our apologies.

The Guardian - Sport

When she returned, she found a note on the door from a neighbor: "Please accept our apologies for running over your cat.

The New York Times - Books

Photograph: Tomas Bravo/Reuters 5.16pm BST Please accept our apologies, not for including another catwalk shot, but for the outfits on display on said catwalk as athletes from the German Olympic and Paralympic team show off the kit they'll be wearing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The Guardian

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by this workaround and bear with us while we resolve the issue.

BBC

Please accept our apologies and our condolences.

Huffington Post

"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We were just experiencing some technical problems with our Twitter account, please accept our apology and Happy Holidays.

Huffington Post

"Please accept our sincere apologies," an answering machine message said.

The New York Times

Please accept our sincerest apologies for these errors and note the following corrections: Labor Day, September 1st Rosh Hashana, September 27th Yom Kippur, October 6th In addition, we also wish to apologize for having listed Yom Kippur as one of our "Reasons To Party".

The New York Times

Please accept our sincere apologies.

TechCrunch

Please accept our sincerest apologies".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please accept our apologies", follow it with a specific explanation of what you are apologizing for to show sincerity and accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "please accept our apologies" in casual conversations; simpler phrases like "we're sorry" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please accept our apologies" functions as a formal expression of apology. It is used to convey regret and seek understanding or forgiveness for a mistake, error, or inconvenience caused. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and correct phrase used in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please accept our apologies" is a grammatically correct and formally appropriate phrase for expressing regret, as validated by Ludwig AI. While generally applicable across various contexts, it is more commonly found in news, business, and scientific sources, indicating its professional register. When using the phrase, remember to provide a specific explanation for the apology and adjust the level of formality depending on the context. While authoritative sources commonly use this, simpler phrases may be more suitable for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We sincerely apologize

Emphasizes the sincerity of the apology.

We are deeply sorry

Highlights the depth of regret.

Our apologies for the error

Directly acknowledges the error and apologizes for it.

Accept our sincerest regrets

Offers the most sincere form of regret.

We regret any inconvenience caused

Focuses on the inconvenience resulting from the action.

We take full responsibility and apologize

Acknowledges responsibility alongside the apology.

We are sorry for the mistake

Uses simpler language to express remorse.

We extend our apologies

A more formal way of offering an apology.

Pardon us for the inconvenience

A polite way of asking for understanding and forgiveness.

Please forgive our oversight

Asks for forgiveness for a specific oversight.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "please accept our apologies"?

A more formal way to say "please accept our apologies" is "accept our sincerest regrets" which conveys a deeper sense of remorse.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "please accept our apologies"?

It's appropriate to use "please accept our apologies" in formal communications, such as business emails, official letters, or public announcements, where a sincere apology is necessary.

What can I say instead of "please accept our apologies" in a casual setting?

In a casual setting, you can use simpler phrases like "we are sorry" or "sorry for the inconvenience" which are more appropriate and less formal.

Is it correct to say "please accept my apologies" instead of "please accept our apologies"?

Yes, it is correct to say "please accept my apologies" when the apology is from an individual, whereas "please accept our apologies" is used when the apology is from a group or organization.