Sorry

[Padraig]

Apologies are frequently called for these days, and nearly as frequently made. Is making an apology the same as saying 'Sorry'?

[burning dog]

Apologies are frequently called for these days, and nearly as frequently made. Is making an apology the same as saying 'Sorry'?

I think "Sorry that I/We" is an apology. Politicians, media organizations, large corporations go in for "Sorry if I/We offended/hurt you by" which isn't IMO.

[french frank]

As often as not the emphasis is put on the fact that, "We are sorry that you were offended: there was no intention on our part to offend anyone." But as, nevertheless, you insist on being offended we can't be held responsible. We did nothing wrong.

[Pulcinella]

As often as not the emphasis is put on the fact that, "We are sorry that you were offended: there was no intention on our part to offend anyone." But as, nevertheless, you insist on being offended we can't be held responsible. We did nothing wrong.

I'm not sure that they're even sorry about that.
The word isn't really in their vocabulary.

[cloughie]

I'm not sure that they're even sorry about that.
The word isn't really in their vocabulary.

And very often apologies are delivered with a distinct lack of sincerity.

[oddoneout]

There is a phrase used for 'official' apologies, by the likes of companies not delivering the service they are paid to, which really for me sums up their lack of commitment to the concept of admitting they have been less that satisfactory, and it is "We would like to apologise for....". No, they wouldn't like to apologise, and in any case the way it is phrased suggests they have found something more interesting/lucrative/whatever to do instead of apologising. "We would like to(no we wouldn't, what do you take us for) ...but we have better things to do than dealing with moaning minnies".

[Petrushka]

What about the more personal apology for a wrong done? The word 'sorry' is often the most inadequate in the English language and can be wholly unsuited to try to right a wrong. As already pointed out the word has so often been debased by politicians and the business world as to render it useless.

[Padraig]

What about the more personal apology for a wrong done? The word 'sorry' is often the most inadequate in the English language and can be wholly unsuited to try to right a wrong. As already pointed out the word has so often been debased by politicians and the business world as to render it useless.

Is the word 'sorry' so debased that even in personal situations it is rendered useless?

Has burning dog hit the nail on the head with his distinction between 'sorry that' and 'sorry if'?

[Pulcinella]

There is a phrase used for 'official' apologies, by the likes of companies not delivering the service they are paid to, which really for me sums up their lack of commitment to the concept of admitting they have been less that satisfactory, and it is "We would like to apologise for....". No, they wouldn't like to apologise, and in any case the way it is phrased suggests they have found something more interesting/lucrative/whatever to do instead of apologising. "We would like to(no we wouldn't, what do you take us for) ...but we have better things to do than dealing with moaning minnies".

Isn't that more usually: We would like to apologise, but we're not going to?

[Pulcinella]

Is the word 'sorry' so debased that even in personal situations it is rendered useless?

Has burning dog hit the nail on the head with his distinction between 'sorry that' and 'sorry if'?

I'm sorry to say that he probably has (i.e., I should have got there first!).

[Padraig]

We would like to apologise, but we're not going to?

Not apologising is regarded as equally abhorrent as apologising insincerely. Which is the more ethical course?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

VW were extremely sorry amount the emissions scandal, but only because they were found out...

[EnemyoftheStoat]

What about those pointless and insincere recorded railway announcements: “I am sorry to announce that...” The heck you are; you’re a recording.

[kernelbogey]

What about those pointless and insincere recorded railway announcements: “I am sorry to announce that...” The heck you are; you’re a recording.

I believe I may have heard 'South Western Railway apologises for the late running of this train': that seems ok even if recorded. That company, my local to Lonodn, (and others) have so disempowered the on train staff (Guard? ) that they don't often issue an 'I' apology, which seems more genuine.

I was once told 'Don't both apologise and explain: this seemed to me a useful guidline. Either 'i'm sorry I'm late for our meeting'; OR 'I'm late because of a muddle on the train this morning' - but not both.

[Pabmusic]

Apologies are frequently called for these days, and nearly as frequently made. Is making an apology the same as saying 'Sorry'?

There are four types of apology, as I see it.

1. I did something shameful and I acknowledge it and regret it. I don't think one person can apologise on behalf of another and be sincere.

2. I acknowledge that something done by someone else - often in the past - was shameful, and I regret that it happened. If genuinely said it's all that can amount to an apology for (say) slavery, colonialism, religious fervour, antisemitism and the like.

3. I regret that you are offended by [insert issue]. Implied is - don't be so sensitive and grow up.

4. I regret that I have been found out.

A few years ago (8-10?) the press started on Richard Dawkins to apologise because a direct ancestor had owned slaves about 1720. Having said that he loathed slavery (but refusing to apologise for someone in the early 18th century) he pointed out that a conservative estimate for the number of direct descendants living now might be 1,400. Presumably the other 1,399 should also apologise.