I deeply regret having embarrassed you like I did.

Our friendship is really important to me. Will you please forgive me?

OK, I admit it. I made a big mistake.

I want to grow from this experience. Would you be willing to help me figure out steps to handle this type of situation better?

What can I do or say to make things right between you and me?

I had a bad attitude and it showed. I should have thought more about what I was doing.

I don't want to do this again. So I will come up with ways to avoid mistakes like this in the future.

I apologize for my actions. You obviously don’t have to forgive me, but I hope you will.

Can you possibly forgive me?

What can I do to mend our relationship?

I totally messed up. I could make excuses, but really, I have no good excuse for my actions.

You have every right to hold this against me, but will you please consider forgiving me?

I’d like to make things better between us. What can I do to make things right?

You don’t have to answer immediately, but will you consider forgiving me for making this mistake?

I want to ask you to forgive to me.

It deeply pains me to see you hurting like this.

I’ve really messed up this time. We missed the deadline because of me.

Can we back up and let me try to fix this? I really want to mend the damage I’ve caused.

I am upset with myself over how I handled our disagreement. I cringe when I recall the way I acted.

I know that what I’ve been doing is not helpful. What would you like to see me change that would make this better for you?

I know that what I did was wrong.

I’m so sorry. I feel terrible that I let you down.

What changes could I put into place so that you might begin to trust me going forward?

I hope this won’t permanently damage our working relationship. Will you please accept my apology?

I can see my actions caused you pain, and I feel terrible about what I did.

Is there anything I can do to repair the damage I’ve created?

If I had only thought about what I was doing, I would have realized it was wrong.

I know that I've caused you a significant amount of trouble. I would greatly appreciate it if you would forgive me.

I am truly grieved and sorry for my actions plus the ways they affected you.

If I am ever again upset with you, I promise to gather my thoughts and approach you directly and respectfully.

I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

I simply should not have done that.

I realize that talk is cheap. I’ll work to show you that I’m changing.

Is there anything I can do to make up for what I did?

I really am embarrassed about my behavior—and I'm so, so sorry.

No if's, and's or but's. I admit that I was wrong.

I apologize. Will you please forgive me?

Going forward, I will manage my time and prioritize my schedule so that I won’t have the same difficulties.

I want so badly to avoid this type of error again. Let’s talk about what I can do in the future to follow through on my commitments.

I don’t feel right just saying "My bad." I want to make up for what I’ve done. What would you consider appropriate?

I know that my actions were totally unacceptable. I own that.

It stresses me out to know that you had to stand there waiting on me. I regret the frustration and worry that I caused you.

I know that I’ve inconvenienced you. What can I do for you that could help balance things out?

I am unhappy with how I’ve hurt you. I’m enormously disappointed in myself.

What can I do to make this situation right for you—immediately?

It may take some time to rebuild your trust in me—meanwhile, I’ll be working hard on changes to prove that I am trustworthy.

I am so sorry about that. I feel truly awful about having disappointed you.

Saying "I’m sorry" doesn’t feel like it is enough. What more can I say or do to make this up to you?

I’m confident that everything I’ve learned from this bad experience will prevent me from doing it again.

I know what I did was inappropriate—no two ways about it.