15 Other Ways to Say “Sorry for the Inconvenience”

Sharing is caring!

Most professional communication takes place over email nowadays.

This means that all kinds of information, both good and bad, both trivial and important, is regularly communicated back and forth in formal written language. 

We rarely see anyone’s facial expressions or hear their voices when they tell us something anymore.

This can be particularly tricky when what is being shared is not good news, because it can be difficult to gage the sincerity of a person’s apology.

One phrase that has become almost synonymous with cancellation, delays or any kind of disappointing news communicated via email is “sorry for the inconvenience.” 

It is a funny thing that a phrase begins to sound trite and insincere purely because of how often it is used, and this seems to be what has happened with the infamous sentence “sorry for the inconvenience.” 

 

What is meant by “Sorry for the inconvenience”? 

Simply put, saying “sorry for the inconvenience” in an email is a way to acknowledge that something you are saying is going to cause your message’s recipient some sort of trouble. It is commonly used to convey everything from regret for a minor discomfort to a genuine apology for a serious offense.

 

“Sorry for the inconvenience” — a good thing to say?

“Sorry for the inconvenience” is considered by many people to be a non-apology.

A non-apology is a statement that only expresses regret for the effect an action has on another person, rather than genuine remorse for the action itself. 

“Sorry for the inconvenience” now has rather a bad rep as an insincere “stock phrase”.

It often makes sense to use another expression of regret instead, especially if you are truly sorry about something.

While sometimes, when the issue is as minor as rescheduling an informal meeting, all you need to say is a quick “sorry”, there are times when the offense committed requires more careful attention and a more sincere apology. 

Below are 15 alternatives to using the phrase “sorry for the inconvenience” in an email. 

Ten are written in the formal register, and five are written in the informal register. 

Some are best suited to situations where no extensive apology is required, while others are ways to express genuine remorse for a serious indiscretion.

Before we dive into these alternative phrases to use, however, let us have a quick look at “Sorry for the inconvenience” in action. While often not the best expression to use, it can still be used to get the message across and can be utilized in situations and scenarios that don’t demand all too much attention.

 

Sorry for the inconvenience — Email Examples

To learn how to incorporate the phrase “Sorry for the inconvenience” into your everyday correspondence, look no further. 

These full-length email examples show how you can seamlessly integrate the phrase “Sorry for the inconvenience” into a piece of professional correspondence. 

The key takeaway from these sample emails is that “Sorry for the inconvenience” often comes at the end of your message, because it is a good way to end an email professionally. 

This is especially true when you are responding to an unhappy customer email, in which case you should always be as formal as possible. 

Example: How to use “Sorry for the inconvenience” in an email to a client 

 

 

Example: How to use “Sorry for the inconvenience” in a professional email 

 

 

Example: How to use “Sorry for the inconvenience” in an email when you aren’t sorry 

 

 

10 formal alternatives to “sorry for the inconvenience”

 

1. Please accept my sincere apologies.

When a serious mistake has been made in a professional environment, it is extremely important that it is apologized for, and that the apology acknowledges the gravity of the error that was made. 

Saying “Sorry for the inconvenience” when apologizing for a major indiscretion is inappropriate.

The phrase “Sorry for the inconvenience” sounds flippant and disingenuous in this context. 

By contrast, a phrase like “Please accept my sincere apologies” clearly acknowledges the seriousness of the mistake that was made. 

 

 

2. I understand your frustration and can assure you that this will not happen again.

If someone has written to you to complain about a mistake that has been made, it is a good idea to acknowledge the difficulty they have experienced as a result.

Doing so shows that you would like to resolve the issue in good faith and that you have taken the time to see the issue from their point of view. 

A concise way to convey this sentiment is to say, “I understand your frustration and can assure you that this will not happen again.”

 

3. I can see how important this is and I will address the issue immediately. 

One of the reasons many people dislike the phrase “sorry for the inconvenience” is that it is passive.

It acknowledges that a person has had or will have an unpleasant experience without offering to do anything about it. 

A good way to reassure your email’s recipient that you have understood the urgency of their complaint or issue, is to respond with a promise to take action. 

The phrase “I can see how important this is and I will address the issue immediately,” has the advantage that it both acknowledges the gravity of the unfortunate situation and promises to take steps to address it. This is why it makes for a great synonym of “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

4. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help resolve the problem.

Another formal alternative to “sorry for the inconvenience” that offers to give assistance to the person you are communicating with, is “please let me know if there is anything I can do to help resolve the problem.” 

This is a good phrase to use when there is not an obvious path forwards for you to improve the situation for your message’s recipient, but you want to show a willingness to help them if you can.

This phrase should generally be used when the problem is not strictly the writer’s fault, but they might nevertheless be able to do something to make the situation easier for everyone involved.

 

5. I realize this is disappointing.

Sometimes the most important thing to communicate is a sincere understanding that a person has been let down.

This may often be the case even when the writer has not done anything wrong, and as such, no apology email is necessary. 

However, particularly in cases where no mistake has been made by either party, “sorry for the inconvenience” can come across somewhat callous or disingenuous. 

A much better way to convey genuine understanding that person will be unhappy with the outcome of a situation, is just to say, “I realize this is disappointing” or, alternatively, “I realize this may come as a disappointment.” 

 

6. Thank you for your patience.

While many people dislike the fact that the phrase “sorry for the inconvenience” is not actually an expression of remorse for the action that caused the inconvenience, some things do not require an apology. 

In these cases, it is helpful to say something that does not sound trite, but that also does not involve an unnecessary apology. 

One way to do this is to thank someone for their patience, understanding or time. 

 

7. I apologize unreservedly

There are however also times when a sincere apology is warranted.

In these cases, simply saying “sorry for the inconvenience” is not enough and can come across as flippant or uncaring. 

If you have made a genuine error of judgment that has caused someone serious inconvenience or offense, you can say “I apologize unreservedly.” 

 

8. Apologies for the inconvenience 

The phrase “Apologies for the inconvenience” is a slightly more formal alternative to “Sorry for the inconvenience.” 

The difference between these two phrases is the use of the word “apologies” instead of the word “sorry.”

The word “sorry” is not unprofessional, but the word “apologies” has been used in business correspondence for centuries. It has a legacy that dates back to the era of formal letters written in fountain pen. 

One thing anyone who wants to master professional emailing should know is that the older a phrase is, the more formal it is. 

While the world of work has been transformed by emails, which give everything a more casual flavor, there is still a place for old-school formality in the modern office. 

The less well you know a client or colleague, and particularly if you have made a mistake, the more care you should take to address them with appropriate formality. 

 

Example: How to use “Apologies for the inconvenience” in an email 

 

 

9. Sorry for the inconvenience caused 

The expression “Sorry for the inconvenience caused” is a slightly more polite way to say, “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

This line acknowledges that an inconvenience has been “caused” by an action or decision that you or another representative of your company took. 

When you want to take full accountability for an error that was made in the course of a business negotiation or transaction, you can express that you are “sorry for the inconvenience caused.” 

Here’s a quick rule of thumb when it comes to apologizing in a professional email: If you’re genuinely sorry, say, “Sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

If you’re not that sorry, and quite frankly think that the person in question is overreacting, say, “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

 

Example: How to use “Sorry for the inconvenience caused” in an email 

 

 

 

10. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused

Saying, “I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused,” is a good way to apologize professionally in the aftermath of a problem. 

The phrases “Apologies for the inconvenience” and “Sorry for the inconvenience” can refer to something that has already happened, that is happening, or that will happen. 

By contrast, referring to an inconvenience that something “may have caused” is specifically talking about the past. 

This makes it the ideal phrase to use if you weren’t aware of a problem and it has suddenly been brought to your attention. 

“I apologize for any convenience this may have caused” is a good way cover your tracks retrospectively and make sure that a decision you made previously at work hasn’t left anyone frustrated. 

Are you worried that something you did in the past has irritated a customer or colleague? Here’s how to deal with it. 

Start by getting in touch with the “injured party” to explain the reason behind your choices. Then, end your email by apologizing for any convenience your decisions may have caused. 

Once you’ve done your due diligence, put this issue out of your mind. After all, isn’t it well known that “It’s better to say sorry that ask for permission”? 

 

Example: How to use “I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused” in an email 

 

 

5 informal alternatives to “sorry for the inconvenience”

 

1. My mistake! 

If you are writing to someone with whom you are on informal terms with, you can acknowledge your error quickly by simply writing “my mistake!”

 

2. My bad! I will make sure this does not happen again. 

Being on informal terms with someone does not mean that you can neglect to apologize to them when you do something wrong! 

In fact, if you work with someone regularly, it can be even more important that they know they can trust you. 

If you make a misstep, you should acknowledge your error and clearly communicate that you understand what you have done wrong and won’t repeat your mistake.

 

3. Mea Culpa!

This Latin expression, which translates as “through my fault” is a catholic prayer of confession. When used in English, it essentially means “It was my fault”. 

You can use this expression when writing to someone with whom you are on informal terms to quickly acknowledge an error. 

 

4. Sorry for the trouble 

“Sorry for the trouble,” is a wonderful, informal alternative to “I apologize for any inconvenience caused.” 

There are so many ways to say sorry and you should not feel that the only way to apologize in business English is saying, “Sorry for the inconvenience.” 

If you are on good terms with the person you are writing to, avoid all the formal language and say, “Sorry for the trouble.” 

 

Example: How to use “Sorry for the trouble” in an email  

 

 

5. Sorry for the hassle 

Saying, “Sorry for the hassle” is an informal way to apologize when you are making someone go out of their way to assist you. 

As much as you might want to avoid causing anyone in your professional orbit any trouble, the truth is that busywork is unavoidable. 

Being a good professional means being thorough. That sometimes means getting things checked and double-checked, which can be irritating for the person doing the checking. 

However, as long as you acknowledge the slightly bothersome nature of the work they’re doing, they won’t mind.   

 

Example: How to use “Sorry for the hassle” in an email 

 

 

How to say, “Sorry for the inconvenience caused” without saying sorry 

Anyone who works in a professional, customer-facing role has almost certainly wondered how to say, “Sorry for the inconvenience caused,” without saying sorry. 

In 2023 and beyond, we’re all more than familiar with customer complaints. And to be honest, many of them are highly unreasonable. 

Unfortunately, as a professional, you have to keep your formal and courteous manner up at all times, no matter how unreasonable a client or colleague is being.

Here are some good ways to tick the “Sorry for the inconvenience” box without actually saying you are sorry. 

 

I hope this doesn’t cause any inconvenience

It may be that you are wondering what to write in your out-of-office message and don’t want to apologize for taking time off. 

You’ve probably seen people say, “Sorry for the inconvenience” at the end of an OOO to let their customers know that they are aware they’re being unreachable may cause frustration. 

However, you may feel that you’re entitled to time off and that you shouldn’t have to say sorry for it. 

If so, you could say, “I hope this doesn’t cause an inconvenience.”

 

Example: How to use “I hope this doesn’t cause any inconvenience” in an email 

 

I regret that it didn’t live up to your expectations

This sentiment expresses regret that a product or service your company provides didn’t live up to expectations.

Crucially, however, saying “I regret that it didn’t live up to your expectations” does not include an apology or acceptance of responsibility. 

 

Example: How to use “I regret that it didn’t live up to your expectations” in an email 

 

It is unfortunate that you feel that way

Saying “It is unfortunate that you feel that way” is another way to avoid saying sorry when someone is dissatisfied. 

 

Example: How to say, “It is unfortunate that you feel that way” in an email 

 

I understand your dissatisfaction

Saying, “I understand your dissatisfaction” acknowledges a person’s frustration without apologizing for causing it. 

 

Example: How to use “I understand your dissatisfaction” in an email 

 

I regret that this misunderstanding has happened

Using the phrase, “I regret that this misunderstanding has happened,” expresses that you wish there wasn’t a problem without taking responsibility for it arising. 

 

Example: How to use “I regret that this misunderstanding has happened” in an email