Basic vs Advanced Apologies

Saying sorry is one of the most common things we do in English—but how you apologize can change the tone completely. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to move from basic to advanced apology phrases to sound more natural and confident.

A basic apology includes phrases like I’m sorry or It’s not my fault. These are polite but simple and often used in casual situations. For example, I’m sorry works well when you accidentally interrupt someone.

An advanced apology shows more emotion or personality. Instead of I’m sorry, you can say My bad or I messed up. These phrases are more informal and sound natural in friendly or workplace conversations.

If you want to comfort someone, you can say No big deal instead of It’s okay — it feels more relaxed and understanding.

Watch the video to see these phrases in action and learn how to choose the right one depending on the situation. Perfect your tone and sound like a fluent English speaker!