we apologized for

USAGE SUMMARY

"we apologized for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you or a group of people are expressing regret for something that was done or said. For example, "We apologized for the delay in completing the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We apologized for the situation, but welcomed her to stay for that day's lesson.

Columbia University

Often being 10 minutes behind schedule doesn't mean much, but we could actually see the tide ebbing as we apologized for not heeding Harry's request to be at the boat by 7 30 a.m.

The New York Times - Travel

Greg Dyke, the BBC's editor in chief, issued a recorded statement saying the broadcaster had already admitted that "certain key allegations" of the May report by its defense correspondent, Andrew Gilligan, "were wrong, and we apologized for them".

The New York Times

Years later, we apologized for that.

Huffington Post

That's why we apologized for both the PowerPoint and the concern it raised.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We apologize for the error.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

We apologize for this inconvenience".

The New York Times

We apologize for it.

The New York Times

We apologize for any confusion".

The New York Times

We apologize for the confusion.

Cornell University

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up an apology with concrete steps to rectify the situation or prevent it from happening again.

Common error

Avoid using "we apologized for" as a mere formality. Ensure the apology reflects genuine remorse and a commitment to improvement, otherwise it can damage trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we apologized for" serves as a declarative statement used to formally convey an expression of regret or remorse for a specific action, mistake, or oversight. According to Ludwig, this is a standard and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we apologized for" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered phrase used to express regret or remorse for a specific action or mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. To enhance its effectiveness, always specify what you are apologizing for and follow up with actions demonstrating your commitment to rectify the situation. Alternatives like "we expressed our apologies for" or "we regret" can be used based on the formality and context of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We expressed our apologies for

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of expressing regret.

We offered an apology for

Similar to expressing apologies, this highlights the offering of regret.

We said sorry for

This is a more informal way of expressing regret.

We regret

This is a concise way of expressing regret directly.

We acknowledged and apologized for

This emphasizes both acknowledgement of fault and the subsequent apology.

We take responsibility and apologize for

This highlights taking accountability before apologizing.

We are sorry for

A direct and common way to convey regret.

We wish to apologize for

This adds a layer of formality by expressing a wish to apologize.

We extend our apologies for

This suggests a more formal and heartfelt apology.

We atone for

Implies making amends for something wrong.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we apologized for"?

You can use alternatives like "we expressed our apologies for", "we offered an apology for", or "we said sorry for" depending on the context.

How do you use "we apologized for" in a sentence?

Use "we apologized for" to express regret or remorse for a specific action or mistake. For example, "We apologized for the inconvenience caused by the system outage."

Is it better to say "we apologize for" or "we apologized for"?

"We apologize for" is present tense, used for immediate apologies. "We apologized for" is past tense, used when referring to a previous apology.

What's the difference between "we apologized for" and "we regret"?

"We apologized for" explicitly states that you expressed regret, while "we regret" is a more direct expression of regret without necessarily indicating an apology was given.