Apology words and phrases for letters

Here are some useful words and phrases for apology letters. You should note that I have
divided into different categories as it is important that you choose you language carefully
according to the situation. The idea is that you need different phrases according to

how well you know the person – more formal/less formal

how big a problem you are apologising for

How to break the bad news

The first step is normally to show that something bad has happened. The two key words
and phrases help you explain something bad has happened for which you need to
apologise are

Unfortunately,
I’m afraid that
Another nice phrase for more informal letters is
I’ve got some bad news to break/tell you
A simple apology
If it is a small problem you may just need to say sorry. You should see though that you
need to think about whether you want to use but/that/for

I’m sorry but    - “I’m sorry but I won’t be able to come to the party”
I’m sorry that – “I’m sorry that I broke you mug“
I’m sorry for – “I’m sorry for not having replied sooner“
A stronger apology
These are phrases that work when there is a bigger mistake

I do apologise for - “I do apologise for failing to meet you at the station”
I must apologise for - “I really must apologise for 
I sincerely apologise for - “I sincerely apologise for the trouble this has caused you”
 Being more informal

If you are writing to a friend you may choose to use a more informal phrase:

I’m ever so sorry - “I’m ever so sorry that we won’t see each other next week
I’m really sorry - “I’m really sorry that I’ve  lost  that book you lent me”
Being more formal
Again, if you’re writing to someone you don’t know that well you want  a more formal
phrase. Typically, we use either the verb apologise or the noun apology.
I would like to apologise – “I would like to apologise for missing my appointment with you“
Please accept my apologies for – “Please accept my apologies for the disturbance caused”
 
 Thinking about the consequences
 Something else you may need to do is to apologise for any difficulty. These phrases
should help:
I’m sorry if this puts you out -  an idiom appropriate for informal letters
I do apologise for any inconvenience caused – a more formal variation
I hope that this does not cause you any problems – a more neutral variation