apology
apology — noun
1. what you say or write to tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them or ab
what you say or write to tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them or about a mistake you made.
Wen wrote his teacher a long apology for cheating on the math test.
apology for + -ing
Otto owes her sister an apology after breaking her favorite mug.
owe someone an apology
The airline issued a public apology to passengers stuck on the plane for six hours.
Dad accepted my apology, then handed me a sponge to clean the floor.
There was no apology from the driver who hit our garden fence.
文法句型
apology to + person
apology for + noun/-ing
用法筆記
Often paired with verbs make / offer / accept / owe / demand. The thing you are sorry for follows 'for'; the person you are sorry to follows 'to'.
常見錯誤
2. a polite message, usually in the plural, that you send to say you cannot come to
a polite message, usually in the plural, that you send to say you cannot come to a meeting, party, or event.
Three board members sent their apologies before the Friday meeting began.
send one's apologies (plural)
Please pass on my apologies to the bride; my flight was cancelled.
pass on apologies + to person
The chairman opened with apologies from two trustees who could not attend.
Mei gave her apologies for missing the school concert and promised to watch the recording.
文法句型
send/give one's apologies
apologies for + -ing
用法筆記
Almost always plural in this sense and typical of meetings, weddings, and formal events. Distinguish from sense 1: here, no fault is being admitted; the speaker is simply unable to attend.
常見錯誤
3. a piece of writing or a speech that argues in favour of an idea, faith, or syste
a piece of writing or a speech that argues in favour of an idea, faith, or system that other people often attack.
Plato's text 'Apology' presents Socrates' defence at his trial in Athens.
title use: 'an apology for'
The pamphlet was a passionate apology for free public libraries.
apology for + cause
Critics called the article a clever apology for the company's polluting practices.
Newman wrote a famous apology for his religious beliefs after leaving the church.
- defence
the everyday word; 'apology' here is more scholarly
- vindication
stresses proving something right; an apology argues the case
- justification
neutral; an apology often answers public criticism
文法句型
apology for + noun
用法筆記
Academic and literary register, often in titles of essays or books. Unlike sense 1, no regret is involved; the writer is defending, not apologising. Cue: this sense is followed by 'for' + a belief or cause, not a wrongdoing.