Sorry for That vs. Sorry About That – Which is Correct?
Both “sorry for that” and “sorry about that” are correct American English phrases. They express an apology for an inconvenience, mistake, or unpleasant situation. “Sorry about that” is generally more natural and conversational, while “sorry for that” can sound slightly more deliberate or emphasize the specific action or event causing it.
Sorry for That or Sorry About That—Which Is Correct?
Both “sorry for that” and “sorry about that” are grammatically correct. They are closely related apology phrases, but they can carry slightly different emphasis.
“Sorry about that” is the more common choice in everyday conversation. It usually acknowledges an inconvenience, mistake, interruption, or awkward situation without drawing strong attention to who caused it.
“Sorry for that” is also correct, but it may sound more deliberate. It often points more directly to a particular action, behavior, or event. In some contexts, it can suggest greater personal responsibility or a more specific apology.
For example, if you accidentally disconnect someone during a phone call, you might say, “Sorry about that.” If you are apologizing for making an insulting remark, “I’m sorry for that” can emphasize the remark itself.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use “about” for a situation and “for” for a specific action or behavior. Think of about as pointing around a problem and for as pointing directly at the thing you regret.
When in doubt, choose “sorry about that” in casual conversation. It is natural, polite, and suitable for most minor inconveniences. Choose “sorry for that” when you want to focus on a specific action or take clearer responsibility.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorry about that | Fixed apology phrase | An apology for an inconvenience, mistake, or situation | Sorry about that—I gave you the wrong address. |
| Sorry for that | Fixed apology phrase | An apology that highlights a particular action, event, or behavior | I’m sorry for that comment. |
How to Use “Sorry for That”
“Sorry for that” is used to apologize for something specific. The word for introduces the cause of the apology, whether that cause is stated directly or understood from the conversation.
This phrase is grammatically acceptable in both casual and professional English. However, in everyday American conversation, “sorry about that” often sounds slightly more spontaneous. “Sorry for that” may sound more intentional, especially when it refers to an identifiable action or remark.
The phrase can stand alone when the listener already knows what happened. It can also be expanded with a noun or noun phrase, such as “I’m sorry for that mistake,” “I’m sorry for the delay,” or “I’m sorry for that rude comment.”
Example 1: I’m sorry for that comment; it was insensitive.
Example 2: Sorry for that—I should have checked the figures first.
Example 3: We are sorry for that error and will correct the report immediately.
Etymology of the Phrase “Sorry for That”
Sorry comes from the Old English word sārig, meaning distressed, painful, or full of sorrow. Over time, it developed into an expression of regret and apology. The preposition for comes from an old Germanic word used to indicate cause, purpose, or connection. Together, the phrase identifies the action or situation that causes regret.
How to Use “Sorry About That”
“Sorry about that” is a common conversational apology. It is especially useful when acknowledging a minor problem, inconvenience, misunderstanding, or accident. The phrase often sounds friendly and informal, but it can also be used politely in workplaces and customer-service settings.
Unlike “sorry for that,” “sorry about that” commonly refers to an entire situation rather than focusing sharply on one action. It can soften the apology because it recognizes the problem without necessarily assigning blame.
Use “sorry about that” after interrupting someone, giving incorrect information, causing a delay, making a technical mistake, or creating an inconvenience.
Example 1: Sorry about that—the meeting link was incorrect.
Example 2: I’m sorry about that delay. The shipment should arrive tomorrow.
Example 3: Sorry about that; I thought you had already received the message.
Etymology of the Phrase “Sorry About That”
The adjective sorry originated from Old English sārig, which described sadness or distress. About comes from Old English and originally referred to being around or on every side of something. In the modern phrase, “about” connects the apology to a circumstance, issue, or situation being discussed.
Related Concepts
Understanding prepositions and the difference between specific actions and broader situations makes the distinction between these apology phrases easier to recognize.
- Prepositions: Words such as for and about show relationships between words. In these phrases, for can identify the cause of regret, while about commonly introduces the situation being acknowledged.
- Apologies: An apology expresses regret, accepts responsibility, or acknowledges that another person experienced inconvenience or harm.
- Conversational softeners: Short phrases such as “sorry about that” can reduce tension and make everyday communication sound more polite.
- Specific versus general reference: “Sorry for that” often highlights a particular act, while “sorry about that” frequently refers to a broader circumstance.
Examples from Media and Literature
These phrases commonly appear in realistic dialogue, especially when a character responds quickly to a mistake or acknowledges an awkward situation.
- Workplace drama: After a character sends an incorrect file to a colleague, the natural response is, “Sorry about that—I attached the wrong document.”
- Film or television dialogue: A character who interrupts an important conversation may say, “Sorry about that. Please continue.”
- News and public statements: A company addressing a service disruption might write, “We’re sorry for that inconvenience and are working to restore service.”
- Contemporary fiction: A character apologizing for an offensive statement might say, “I’m sorry for that. I shouldn’t have said it.”
- Customer-service exchanges: A representative may use “Sorry about that” after learning that a customer received confusing instructions.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence. In some cases, both phrases may be grammatically possible, but select the one that sounds most natural for the context.
- _____—I accidentally sent the email to the wrong person. (Sorry for that / Sorry about that)
- I’m _____ rude comment I made earlier. (sorry for that / sorry about that)
- _____ delay; the train is now arriving. (Sorry about that / Sorry for that)
- We are _____ error in the original invoice. (sorry for that / sorry about that)
- _____ interruption. Please finish what you were saying. (Sorry about that / Sorry for that)
Answer Key
- Sorry about that—It refers to the overall email mistake or inconvenience.
- Sorry for that—It focuses on the specific rude comment.
- Sorry about that—It refers to the general delay.
- Sorry for that—It identifies a specific error.
- Sorry about that—It is the most natural conversational apology for an interruption.
“Sorry for That” Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| I apologize for that | A more formal way to accept responsibility for a specific action or problem. |
| Please forgive me for that | A stronger request for forgiveness after a particular mistake or offense. |
| I regret that | A formal expression of sorrow or remorse about a specific event. |
| That was my mistake | A direct acknowledgment of personal responsibility. |
“Sorry About That” Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| I’m sorry about that | A slightly fuller version used to acknowledge an inconvenience or situation. |
| My apologies | A concise and somewhat more formal apology for a problem. |
| Excuse me | A polite expression used for a minor interruption, mistake, or inconvenience. |
| I didn’t mean to cause trouble | A conversational way to express regret about an unintended problem. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “sorry for that” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Sorry for that” is grammatically correct and is used to apologize for a specific action, comment, mistake, or event.
Question 2: Is “sorry about that” more natural than “sorry for that”?
Usually, yes. “Sorry about that” is more common in casual American conversation and is a natural response to a minor inconvenience or awkward situation.
Question 3: Should I use “sorry for that” or “sorry about that” in a professional email?
Both are acceptable, but a more specific phrase is often better. For example, write “We apologize for the delay” or “I’m sorry for the error” when you want a clear, professional apology.
Conclusion
Both “sorry for that” and “sorry about that” are correct. Use “sorry about that” for a general inconvenience or situation, especially in casual conversation. Use “sorry for that” when emphasizing a particular action, mistake, or remark. Pro Tip: In professional communication, pair your apology with a specific explanation or corrective action to show responsibility and protect your credibility.
