A letter of
apology can be either formal or informal. It can be written when someone has
made a mistake, has failed to perform a
duty or is not able to fulfill a promise.
The main body contains reasons for
the inconvenience cause. In the final paragraph you can express your hope to
improve the situation or promise to make up for any problems that have been
caused.
Лист-вибачення може бути формальним або неформальним. Його пишуть, якщо хтось зробив помилку, не виконав обов‘язок або не може виконати обіцянку.
Основна частина містить причини спричинених незручностей. У останньому параграфі Ви можете висловити свої сподівання на виправлення ситуації або пообіцяти розв‘язати будь-які проблеми, що могли виникнути.
Структура:
1.
Introduction: reason for writing
Formal:
- I am writing to apologise for
- I must apologise for
- Please accept my sincerest apologies for
- How can I apologise enough for
- I must apologise profusely for, etc.
Informal:
- I hope you will understand when I say that
- What can I say, except I'm sorry that
- I'm sorry for
- I owe you an apology
- I'm so sorry if I upset you in any way
- I can't describe how sorry I am and how guilty I feel, etc.
2-4.
Main body: Reasons to explain the inconvenience caused
5.
Final Paragrah: Express understanding /
regret or promise to make up for the situation
6.
Closing remarks
Formal:
- Once again, sincerest apologies for
- I hope you will accept my apologies
- I hope my apologies will be /are accepted, etc.
Informal:
- I hope you believe me when I say how sorry I am
- I can't tell you how sorry I am
- I beg you to forgive me
- There is no excuse for...
- and I hope you'll forgive me
7.
Full name
Source: Successful Writing, Enterprise 4
Task 1
You
have promised your boss that you will work some extra hours next weekend. Due
to a family problem, you will be unable to fulfill your promise. Write a letter
of apology to your boss, in which you:
- remind him/her of your promise;
- explain your reasons;
- promise to make it up to him/her.
Task 2
Your friend let you spend the weekend at his seaside cottage. While staying there you accidentally stained an expensive Persian rug. Write a letter in which you:
- explain how it happened;
- apologize for the damage;
- offer to get it cleaned.
