[MsLady]

"I apologize" is a way to formally admit that you did something wrong, whether you feel "sorry" about it or not. So while you might formally admit that what you did was wrong, you might not actually feel remorse for your actions. Credit: SoftSchools.com

LOL Has someone ever said to you, "I apologize," that didn't quite sit right with you? Maybe this is why.

[divine1966]

It sounds like something people might do at work. You know that you did something wrong in a professional setting because you broke a rule or didn’t meet a deadline or maybe even said something wrong, but deep inside you aren’t sorry at all. You can’t stand your boss, rules were stupid and deadline was arbitrary. But you have to keep your job so you must say something “my apologies” or “I apologize”

No one says it to me in personal life but if they did I’d know they aren’t sorry at all and just don’t want me to kick them to the curb so they got to say something lol

[mote.of.soul]

To me, as long as they recognize their wrongdoing, that's enough for me. Maybe in some instances they're just trying to protect their own hides, but even then, it's a sign they know they've wronged you.

[MsLady]

I think it's important for people to acknowledge their wrongdoings, for sure. Having that genuine "sorry" attached, goes a long way.

I used to think saying "I apologize" meant you were going to say sorry. So when "sorry" wasn't said, I'd think they hadn't yet apologized. Something felt off. So I Googled it last night and this quote (above) stood out for me. A-ha! lol

[TishaBuv]

I thought it was equal to “I’m sorry” and I’ve used it professionally because i thought it sounded more professional. Personally, I’m lucky if I get that much from someone who wronged me and I’d gratefully accept it.

[Mountaindewed]

My therapist said in an email yesterday “I apologizing for emailing.” I don’t know. It just sounded like she was drunk or having a stroke.

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

My therapist said in an email yesterday “I apologizing for emailing.” I don’t know. It just sounded like she was drunk or having a stroke.

LOL Typo. She clearly didn't edit her email before clicking "send".

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

I thought it was equal to “I’m sorry” and I’ve used it professionally because i thought it sounded more professional. Personally, I’m lucky if I get that much from someone who wronged me and I’d gratefully accept it.

I'm thinking professional speaking, it's ok to do if it's work related.

I apologize for missing this deadline.

It's business and they're admitting to a wrongdoing by this error.. but it's not personal in nature.

But if you're saying this to a colleague in a personal conversation or conflict, not related to the job, I'd think saying "sorry" would be more appropriate.

So ya, it does sound more professional. Good point.

I have had this said to me, and soon after the same person mutter under their breath

like: I'm sorry this happened, slight pause, then they mumble... even though it did and I'm not sorry. I can hear you know

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I have had this said to me, and soon after the same person mutter under their breath

like: I'm sorry this happened, slight pause, then they mumble... even though it did and I'm not sorry. I can hear you know

LOL I suppose even if one were to say "sorry" it may equally be as inauthentic as "I apologize".

Muttering.. really? Gee.

[WastingAsparagus]

I've heard before that a good way to apologize is to say sorry and then nothing else. So then, you don't have the urge to add something else onto I'm sorry such as "but" or some other thing that negates the apology.

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by WastingAsparagus

I've heard before that a good way to apologize is to say sorry and then nothing else. So then, you don't have the urge to add something else onto I'm sorry such as "but" or some other thing that negates the apology.

Yes!! I just had an incident like this yesterday. Something happened. It was neither our fault and the action startled me. I was given an appropriate "sorry" .. but it didn't stop there. So I made a deal about it.

[Mountaindewed]

I have to respond to 3 people who I haven’t messaged back and post a follow up on Facebook from something I posted on Sunday and I’ll probably have to say “I apologize for not responding sooner.” but honestly sometimes you just have to take care of yourself first.

[sarahsweets]

Just wanted to share the definition. They seem to be different things.

Definition of apologize
intransitive verb

: to express regret for something done or said : to make an apology
He apologized for his mistake.
She apologized to us for losing her temper.

Does apologize always mean "to say 'I'm sorry'"?
The verb apologize is a surprisingly recent introduction to the English language when one stops to consider that we have likely been committing deeds which require an apology since time immemorial. Our earliest current record of use comes at the end of the 16th century, in the writing of Thomas Nash:

”….but as the Elephant and the Rinoceros neuer fight but about the best pastures, so will I winne from him his best Patrons, and driue him to confesse himselfe a Conundrum, who now thinks he hath learning inough to proue the saluation of Lucifer; Apologize it for him as many Chutes, Barnesses, or vile riggers, or Fregeuiles as there will.”

The earliest uses of apologize more often meant “to offer an excuse or defense” than “to acknowledge a fault.” The verb came into our language from the noun apology, which similarly had an initial meaning (beginning in the early 16th century) that did not necessarily acknowledge fault (“something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation”).

Definition of sorry
1a: feeling sorrow or sympathy
I'm so sorry for your loss.
We were very sorry to hear the news.
She felt sorry for him. [=she felt sympathy and concern for him because of his situation, problems, etc.]
He told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. [=to stop indulging in self-pity]
b: feeling regret or penitence
He was sorry about what he had said.
"I wanted to apologize," she said, "for my abominable rudeness in laughing at you just now. It was idiotic of me and I don't know why I did it. I'm sorry."
— P. G. Wodehouse
"… I'm so sorry, but the tongs were too hot, and so I've made a mess," groaned poor Jo, regarding the little black pancakes with tears of regret.
— Louisa May Alcott
I am sorry we have ever differed, and extremely sorry I have ever given you offence.
— Charles Dickens
— used to express polite regret
I'm sorry, but I think you're wrong.
I'm sorry to interrupt you.
—used to introduce disappointing or bad news in a polite way
I'm sorry, but we won't be able to come.
— used as an apology for a minor fault or offense
Oh, sorry—that was clumsy of me.
I'm late again. Sorry about that. [=I'm sorry; I apologize]
2: MOURNFUL, SAD
Rilla remembered one moonlit evening of childhood when she had said to her mother, "The moon just looks like a sorry, sorry face."
— Lucy Maud Montgomery
3: inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or ridicule : PITIFUL
Their affairs were in a sorry state.
Lawrence blushed, and then smiled awkwardly. A man in love is a sorry spectacle.
— Agatha Christie
In view of the sorry treatment of the Native Americans of the US, it is time that their voice was heard a little more clearly in contemporary American society.
— Tim Flannery
… had been on her way to work when her rusted-out, … sorry excuse for a car … choked on its last drop of gasoline, then died.

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I have to respond to 3 people who I haven’t messaged back and post a follow up on Facebook from something I posted on Sunday and I’ll probably have to say “I apologize for not responding sooner.” but honestly sometimes you just have to take care of yourself first.

Why do you feel the need to apologize? How about saying something like, "Now that I'm able to respond further to this..."

Some people have a tendency of over apologizing for reasons unnecessary.