[Past Time] 

You missed an important meeting at work. Write a le

to your manager. In the letter:
• Apologize for not going
• Explain why you were not there
• Say how you will make up for it

[Future time] Your boss has called an important meeting but you

be unable to attend. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter
• Apologise for your absence
• Explain why you will not be able to attend
• Say what you will do to make up for your absence
Apology email/letter
When to write an apology letter
1. Your poor services/ faulty product
2. Your action has somehow offended someone.
3. You could not attend an important event where you were expected.
4. You have said or written something that has hurt/offended a friend or a family member.
5. You have broken a promise that you have made.
6. You have forgotten an important date.
Dear Mrs Smith,
I am writing to apologize for not attending the team-building away day last week. I understand that these events are
valuable but unfortunately I had transport problems and could not get there on time.
I had originally intended to drive up to London the night before, but my car broke down on the way back from work
and had to be left at the mechanic’s. I immediately booked train tickets online, but, as often happens on Sundays,
engineering works on the line over-ran, meaning that all trains between Colchester and London were cancelled and if
I had used the replacement bus service, I would have arrived at midday, thus missing most of the team-building
activities. 
I have emailed everyone in the office to explain why I was not there and invited them to an informal after-work drink
to fill me in on anything I missed. I would be delighted if you could join us.
Once again, I sincerely regret missing the activities and hope you understand the unavoidable circumstances that led
to my absence.
Best regards,
Fiona Wattam
Hi Nina
I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to the restaurant last weekend. I hope you had a really great time.
I was all set to drive up to London on Sunday morning, but as I was on my way back from a late shift at the hospital,
my car packed up! I had to abandon it at the side of the road and get a taxi home at huge expense!
So I went online to get train tickets but as soon as I got to the station – what a surprise –  all trains were cancelled
from Colchester to Liverpool street. This has been going on for years now – they’re always fixing the lines on Sunday.
Will they ever be fixed, I ask myself? I thought there would be a replacement bus service but after hanging around for
ages with no-one telling me what was going on, I realised that by the time I got to the party, you would already have
sat down to eat.
I’m really sorry about that. Maybe I could take you out to lunch this weekend if you’re around? I’ll come and pick you
up if my car’s been fixed, so you can have a drink and I’ll drive. How does that sound?
Let me know if you’re free,
Lots of love
Fiona
What to include in an apology letter:
• Express your remorse, and say that "I'm sorry" (in an informal letter) or "Please accept
my sincere apology" (in a semi-formal or formal letter) in the opening line(s) of your
letter.
• Specifically mention why you are sorry /you are apologizing for. That will give the
recipient of the letter a clear idea that you understand what you did.
• Take responsibility for the situation.
• Vow that you won't do that again.
• Offer to make some amends.
 1. Greeting
• Try to imagine a real person when you write your Task 1.
Dear Mr/Mrs Smith,
2. Make your purpose clear in the introduction

• I am writing to apologise for my absence…

• I’m writing with regards ……..…
• I just received your email about the meeting…
• Many thanks for your invitation to…
3. Introduce the apology
• Unfortunately I will be unable to attend…
• I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend…
• I’m really sorry but I have already made other arrangements…
• What a pity! I can’t make it that day…
4. How to apologise

• Please accept my sincere apologies for my absence.

• I would like to apologise for missing the meeting.
• I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your party last weekend.
5. Give an explanation

• I fully understand how important this meeting is/ was but…

• I know how much the party means to you, but…
6. Say how you will ‘make amends’
say how you will compensate/make up for (make amends for) your absence.
• (I assure you that) I will do everything possible to avoid this happening again.
• I promise it won’t happen again.
• I’ll make it up to you, I promise!
7. Ask for forgiveness?

• You don’t have to do this, but it depends on the question.

• I sincerely hope that you were not inconvenienced by (my actions, my mistake, this
misunderstanding)
• I hope that you can forgive me.
• Please don’t be mad at me!
8. Take responsibility
• It might help to accept that you were to blame.
• I take full responsibility for any inconvenience caused.
• I realise that this is my fault.
• I owe you an apology.
How to ‘close’ a letter of apology
You might want to remind them about how sorry you are.
• Once again, I sincerely regret missing the activities and hope you understand the
unavoidable circumstances that led to my absence.
• I hope that this will not cause too much inconvenience and would be very grateful if you
could keep me up to speed with any developments.
• I hope the meeting goes well and look forward to hearing about the plans as soon as
possible.
• I really hope you will accept my sincerest apologies.
• Please let me know if you have any further issues
• Hope you have a great time at your party!
• Yours sincerely, … (formal e.g.your manager)
• Best wishes, ... (less formal e.g. a boss you know well)
You have received a letter from your university, The University of Cambridge, demanding a
reason for your absence from an exam. You were ill that day, but failed to submit the
evidence. Write a letter to the examinations committee explaining your situation. You
should include:
- Apologies for the situation
- Identification for yourself (name, student number, case number)
- An explanation of what had happened and any possible evidence you may have
- Possible resolutions to consider.
To the University of Cambridge examinations committee,
I am writing in response to your letter regarding my unauthorised absence from the mathematics examination held on the 24th
September, case number M2342. 
My name is Deborah Meaden (student number A345), and I would first like to sincerely apologise for failing to properly notify the
university of my inability to attend the examination last Tuesday.
Unfortunately, I awoke in hospital on the morning of the examination, and was informed that I had been found unconscious, lying on
the pavement by the bus stop. A member of the public had called an ambulance and I was admitted to the local general hospital,
where I regained consciousness several hours later. As I was required to remain in hospital for several days, I was unable to make
contact with the university, but I have included my medical certificates as evidence for my claim.
To rectify this issue, I would like to request that the committee permit me to take the examination on another date, or to substitute the
grade for an average taken from my previous work, lest I fail the entire module.
My apologies once again, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Deborah Meaden