名师指导远离蹩脚英语之Saying Sorry

　　Im sorry can be an apology for a mistake orwrongdoing, for refusing a request, for interrupting someone, or for accidentallybumping or getting too close to someone。

　　All of the following expressions can mean Im sorry。

　　Sorry

　　eg. Sorry Icant join you tonight。

　　Excuseme eg. Excuse me for interrupting。

　　Pardon eg. Pardon me. I need to get by。

　　Forgiveme eg. Ididnt mean to hurt your feelings. Please, forgive me。

　　Oops!

　　eg. Oops! Istepped on your toe. Are you okay?

　　RESPONSESTO IM SORRY

　　Saying Sorry requires a response. Often people say Thatsokay or Its okay, meaning thatits not necessary to be sorry or that everything turned out okay. Here aresome other expressions that are used in response to Sorry:

　　Thatsall right

　　Itscool: in this context, cool is slang for fine, good,okay

　　Dontworry about it

　　Nevermind

　　Forgetit

　　No big deal: means Its not big enough to worryabout

　　The following expressions are said in replyto Sorry when the apology is for amore serious offense, or when the offended person is still upset:

　　Iappreciate your apology: a polite acceptance ofapology without saying Its okay

　　Illforgive you this time: means Ill forgive you one,but not a second time

　　Dontlet it happen again: a strong and serious warning;but can also be said lightly

　　IBLEW IT AND RELATED IDIOMS

　　These expressions are very common andinformal ways to acknowledge that one has made a mistake or a very bad choice.The also can be used to say Im sorry。

　　I blew it eg. Imsorry I forgot about our plans. I really blew it!

　　I messed up eg. I messed up on my term paper. It wasnt very good。

　　I screwed up eg. As a young person I screwed up a lot. Ineeded to grow up。

　　My mistake eg. Oh,my mistake. I thought the meeting wastoday。

　　Whatwas I thinking?! eg. Oh no! I cut this board too short. What was I thinking?!

　　Icant believe I ! eg. I cant believe I forgot your birthday!

　　Note: people generally do not say I failed when they make a mistake. I failed is used when one fails in a class or on an exam. Its also used to introducea sentence such as I failed to ， meaning I didnt do it or I was unable to do it。