1. Chunyan Shao (Shandong University)
4-12 Letter of Apology

2. Nov Dear John, I’ m terribly sorry that I failed to meet you at the gate of Xin Hua Theatre yesterday afternoon. I knocked down a passer-by on the way, and by the time I finished dealing with the accident and got there, I couldn’t find you. I think you must have given up hope and left. Shall we meet once again next weekend if its convenient for you? Do please forgive me. Yours, Mary

3. Letter analysis: 4 parts
Expressions for apology:
I’ m terribly sorry that I failed to meet you at the gate of Xin Hua Theatre yesterday afternoon.
Expressions for reasons:
I knocked down a passer-by on the way, and…
Promise for making-up:
Shall we meet once again next weekend if its convenient for you?
Further apologies.
Do please forgive me.

4. Foramt
1）表示歉意；
2）陈述犯错的原因，即让对方谅解的理由；
3）弥补方法；
4）进一步道歉。

5. Useful expressions: Opening
I am writing to apologize for…
I am writing to say sorry for……
I am truly sorry to have done……
I feel really sorry to you for…
I must apologize to you for…
I would like to express my deepest apology for…
I regret for not being able to …
Please accept my sincere apology for…
I want you to know how badly I feel about…

6. Useful expressions: body
I had to…
The fact is that…
The reason is that…

7. Useful expressions: Make-up
To make up for the mess I have made, I would like to……
I wish I could be given a chance to make up for my inconsiderateness.
It would be very kind of you to give me another chance to…

8. Useful expressions: apology again
Please allow me to say sorry again.
Let me apologize again for the inconvenience that I have brought you.
I sincerely hope that you understand me and excuse/forgive me.
Do please forgive me.
I want to extend my personal apologies again.

9. Writing task:
You are writing a note to make an apology for being late in returning the bike you borrowed from John.

10. Sep. 15 Dear John, I’m awfully sorry for returning your bike so late
Sep. 15 Dear John, I’m awfully sorry for returning your bike so late. I went to see my nephew in the suburb this weekend. But it rained heavily when I got there, and it didn’t stop raining until this morning. So I had to return today. I do apologize for the inconvenience it caused. I hope you can understand it. Yours Mary

11. April 20
Dear Fiona,
I am sorry I missed seeing you yesterday. I know that you must have been disappointed. I also feel worried and anxious in my heart.
The fact is that my manager at the last moment asked me to prepare an urgent plan while I could not get to a phone to call you and yesterday. I have worked late until about 8:30 p. m.
I would like to ask you out this weekend to make up for yesterday. Please give me a chance and I am waiting for your reply.
Again, I am terribly sorry.
Sincerely yours, Amelia

12. Dear ___________，
　　I am truly sorry that_________________________（道歉的原因）。
　　The reason is that ______________________________________（介绍原因）
Once again， I am sorry for any inconvenience it caused.
　　Yours sincerely
　　Mary