Saying Sorry
Warm-Up
BRAINSTORM
In English, it is polite to say that you’re sorry for your mistakes.
Mistakes are things you say or do by accident.
What are some examples of things people do by accident?
Brainstorm with your classmates:
Let’s Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to apologize in different situations. You will also learn how to respond to apologies.
Let’s begin by looking at these word forms.
Do you know how to pronounce these words?
• apology – noun (singular)
• apologies – noun (plural)
• apologize – verb
• taking a person’s pen
• bumping into a person
• forgetting
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Useful Expressions
Listen to your teacher say these common apologies and responses.
Then recite them together as a class.
A. Apologizing
Everyday
• Sorry.*
• I’m so sorry.
• I didn’t mean to...
• It was my fault.
• It was an accident.
• That wasn’t on purpose.
• That was my mistake.
• I feel so bad.
Formal
• My apologies.
• I owe you an apology.
Informal
• Oops.
• Oopsie!
• My bad!
B. Responding to an Apology
Everyday
• It’s okay.
• It’s fine.
• That’s okay.
• No problem.
• No apology necessary.
• It’s no big deal.
• Don’t worry about it.
• Don’t even mention it.
• That’s understandable.
Formal
• I forgive you.
• I accept your apology.
• I’m partly to blame.
• I know you didn’t mean it.
• We all make mistakes.
*Note:
OTHER USES FOR “SORRY”
In spoken English, “Sorry?”
(pronounced as a question) is not an apology. It means
“Pardon? I didn’t hear you.”
We also say sorry to offer sympathy to someone who has experienced a loss, such as a death in the family, as in
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Informal
• No worries.
• It’s all good.
Dialogues
Read the dialogues, and practice with a partner.
Dialogue 1
EVERYDAY DIALOGUE
A: Sorry I didn’t call last night.
B: That’s okay.
A: I was cleaning the house.
B: That’s understandable. You had a busy week.
A: Thanks for understanding.
Dialogue 2
FORMAL DIALOGUE A: I owe you an apology.
B: You do?
A: Yes. I lost my patience in that meeting.
B: I’m partly to blame.
A: No. It was my fault. I’m very sorry.
B: It’s okay. I forgive you.
Dialogue 3
INFORMAL DIALOGUE
A: Oops. I stole your pen. My bad.
B: No worries.
A: I forgot your birthday last week too. I’m so sorry.
B: It’s all good.
A: I always forget your birthday!
B: Don’t worry about it. I always forget yours too.
Listening Practice
1.
Sorry.
2.
It’s okay.
3.
No problem.
4.
Oopsie.
5.
I didn’t mean to.
6.
I feel so bad.
A. Syllables & Stress
Listen to your teacher say these words and phrases.
Divide the syllables with lines. Mark the stressed sounds with a circle.
Then practice the examples on page 2 again.
B. Choose the Correct Response
Listen to the recording.
Circle the best response to each question or statement.
1. a) That’s okay.
b) I didn’t mean to.
c) I like it.
2. a) This morning.
b) I will call you.
c) Sorry, I forgot.
3. a) We all make mistakes.
b) Sometimes.
c) They are no problem.
4. a) I’m sorry about that.
b) Feel better soon.
c) It was just an accident.
5. a) No worries. I’m fine now.
b) I’m okay with her.
c) Thank you for coming.
6. a) It’s no big deal.
b) By mistake.
c) I feel so bad.
7.
My bad.
8.
My apologies.
9.
It’s fine.
7. a) It was on purpose.
b) Don’t worry about it.
c) Fine, thank you.
8. a) My apologies.
b) My bad.
c) It’s fine.
9. a) My bad.
b) I owe you an apology.
c) Don’t worry about it.
Asking for Forgiveness
B. Complete the Dialogue
Complete the dialogue, and practice with a partner.
A: Why didn’t you call when you got home?
B: . I forgot.
A: Forgot! I waited all night for your call.
B: Please . A: I worried all night!
B: It won’t happen . I .
C. Change the Dialogue
Read the dialogue, and practice with a partner.
Then change the information in bold to another situation. Practice again.
A: I’m so sorry I missed your birthday.
B: You always miss my birthday.
A: I know. I apologize. How can I make it up to you?
B: Take me out for dinner tonight.
A: I’m really sorry. I’m working tonight.
B: That’s fine. Take me out some other time.
1.
2.
3.
A. Introduction
Asking for Forgiveness
• Can you forgive me?
• How can I make it up to you?*
• How can I make things better?
• I promise I’ll make it up to you.
• I will fix this.
• It won’t happen again. I promise/swear.
• Please forgive me.
• Please don’t kill/hate me.
(informal)
4.
People don’t always accept an apology right away. Sometimes you have to apologize more than once for their forgiveness.
Sometimes you have to offer to make things up to someone.
*make up (verb)
To “make up” means
to repair a broken relationship.
Note:
A small wave between
drivers or between a driver and a pedestrian is an apology and a response. It means I’m sorry and I forgive you. It can also mean thank you or I see you.
Review
Task 3
FORMAL OR INFORMAL APOLOGY?
Work with a partner. Role-play a formal apology.
Then role-play an informal apology. Switch roles so that you each have a turn apologizing and responding to an apology.
Your classmates will have to answer the following:
• What did he/she apologize for?
• Was the apology formal or informal?
Task 1
WORDS & EXPRESSIONS
List as many words and expressions as you can for saying sorry.
Task 2
COMPLETE THE DIALOGUE
Now complete the dialogue between two friends and perform it for your teacher with a partner.
A: I’m late.
B: You missed the .
A: I’m . My alarm didn’t go off.
B: .
4. (asks for forgiveness) 3.
2.
1.
5. (accepts apology)
Criteria Achieved Achieved With Help Needs Improvement
uses formal, polite language for an apology
uses informal language for an apology
responds appropriately to an apology
speaks clearly
Date Level Assessed By Role-Play Scenario Skill Apologizing
(formal & informal) Speaking
Speaking Assessment Tool
Notes
Student / Group:
Can I... Yes (very well) Yes (with help) Not yet
use many different expressions to say I’m sorry?
apologize in a variety of formal and informal situations (spoken)?
respond to an apology in a variety of formal and informal situations (spoken)?
use correct intonation when apologizing?
ask for forgiveness /
offer to make it up to someone?
Learner Reflection
SAYING SORRY
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