sorry for the wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorry for the wait" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it when you are apologizing for an unexpected delay. For example, if you are a waiter at a restaurant and are running late on delivering a customer's food, you could say "I apologize for the wait."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We are truly sorry for the wait," she said flatly, ignoring the other nurse's outburst.

Vice

Sorry for the wait, but making a TV show isn't as easy as we thought it would be.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm very sorry for the waits they've experienced," he said.

BBC

Dr Ellen Makings, medical director at Mid Essex Services NHS Trust, said she was "extremely sorry" for the waits experienced on that day.

BBC

Sorry for the delay, Alain.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A Naha city official is also quoted by the paper as saying: "The snow was found to be safe in checks and we are sorry for the children who waited for the snow, but we considered the worries of evacuees".

BBC

As I left the hotel room, I could not help but feel a little sorry for the man left inside, waiting to speak to journalists from across Europe.

The Guardian - Film

It's almost enough to make you feel sorry for the little billionaires-in-waiting. READ ON VICE SPORTS: Inside the Great Wall of China Marathon.

Vice

It's like that point during Home Alone when you start feeling sorry for the burglars, but can't wait to see what's next.

The Guardian - Tech

I feel sorry for the people who had to wait.

Los Angeles Times

It's tough to tell which teammate to feel more sorry for; the zombie on the court waiting eagerly for a third club to find him, or the one on the bench so desperate to just get in the game.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow up with a brief explanation if possible. For example, "Sorry for the wait; we were short-staffed today."

Common error

Avoid simply saying "sorry for the wait" without any context or explanation. Briefly explain the reason for the delay to show you understand the other person's perspective and are taking responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorry for the wait" functions as an apologetic expression. It is used to convey regret for causing someone to experience a delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sorry for the wait" is a common and generally accepted way to apologize for a delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and appropriateness in various contexts. While it's versatile, remember to consider your audience and the situation's formality. In more formal settings, opt for phrases like "apologies for the delay". Providing a brief explanation alongside your apology enhances its sincerity and effectiveness. Though moderately frequent, mastering its use ensures you navigate delays with grace and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Apologies for the delay

More formal and direct; replaces "sorry" with "apologies".

We regret the delay

Very formal, often used in official communications.

Sorry to keep you waiting

Focuses on the person kept waiting.

Please accept our apologies for the delay

Emphasizes the apology.

We are sorry for the inconvenience

Focuses on the inconvenience caused.

My apologies for the wait

Personalizes the apology.

Pardon the wait

Slightly old-fashioned, but still polite.

We apologize that you had to wait

More descriptive, explaining the reason for the apology.

Thank you for your patience

Expresses gratitude for understanding during the delay.

Sorry this took longer than expected

Acknowledges the delay exceeded expectations.

FAQs

What situations are appropriate for using "sorry for the wait"?

The phrase "sorry for the wait" is suitable in scenarios where someone has experienced a delay due to your actions or circumstances. This includes customer service interactions, meetings that start late, or any situation where someone's time has been impacted.

What can I say instead of "sorry for the wait"?

You can use alternatives like "apologies for the delay", "sorry to keep you waiting", or "we regret the delay" depending on the context.

Is "sorry for the wait" too informal for business communication?

While "sorry for the wait" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "apologies for the delay" or "please accept our apologies for the delay" might be preferable in certain business contexts.

How can I make an apology more sincere than just saying "sorry for the wait"?

To show sincerity, briefly explain the reason for the delay and express your understanding of any inconvenience caused. For example, "Sorry for the wait; we had an unexpected technical issue. Thank you for your patience."