sorry about that

USAGE SUMMARY

"sorry about that" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English in a variety of contexts.
For example, you could use it to apologize for an earlier action or to express regret for having caused someone inconvenience or distress. For example, "I'm sorry about that, I should have been more considerate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm sorry about that.

The New York Times

So sorry about that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I am sorry about that.

The New York Times

Yeah, sorry about that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Oops, sorry about that!

The Guardian - Film

So sorry about that.

The Guardian - Film

"Oh, sorry about that.

The Guardian - Tech

Er, sorry about that.

The Guardian - Music

Senior Yen Trader: Oh, sorry about that.

The New York Times

So, yeah, sorry about that.

The Guardian

GUEST SPEAKER 2: Oh, sorry about that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing emails, consider using "sorry about that" to acknowledge a delay in response or a slight error in information provided.

Common error

Avoid using "sorry about that" in highly formal or critical situations; instead, opt for more formal expressions like "I apologize for that" or "Please accept my sincere apologies".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sorry about that" is to serve as an exclamatory apology, expressing regret or remorse for an action, situation, or event. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorry about that" is a versatile phrase used to express regret or apology, suitable for many everyday situations. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While very common across various sources, including news and media, and academia, it's essential to consider the context and formality level. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "I apologize" might be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase thoughtfully to effectively convey your remorse without undermining the seriousness of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm so sorry about that

Emphasizes the feeling of regret.

I apologize for that

Formal alternative to express regret.

My apologies for that

A more emphatic and formal way of saying you're sorry.

I regret that

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about a situation.

I didn't mean to do that

Indicates that an action was unintentional and regrettable.

I shouldn't have done that

Expresses regret specifically for an action taken.

That was my fault

Accepts blame for an error or mishap.

Excuse me for that

Used to apologize for a minor inconvenience.

Please forgive me for that

Directly asks for forgiveness.

Pardon me for that

A slightly old-fashioned way of asking for forgiveness.

FAQs

What does "sorry about that" mean?

"Sorry about that" is a common phrase used to express regret or apology for a mistake, inconvenience, or something that has caused someone trouble or disappointment. It's a mild way of saying you're apologetic about something.

When is it appropriate to use "sorry about that"?

It's appropriate to use "sorry about that" in informal settings or when addressing minor issues. For more formal situations or significant errors, it's better to use stronger expressions like "I apologize" or "I sincerely regret".

What are some alternative ways to say "sorry about that"?

You can use alternatives like "I apologize for that", "my apologies for that", "I regret that", or "excuse me for that" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "sorry about that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sorry about that" is grammatically correct. It's a shortened, colloquial way of saying "I am sorry about that", which is also correct. The phrase is widely accepted and understood in spoken and written English.