Cool MateApologize vs I'm sorry to let you down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apologize
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
I'm sorry to let you down
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Apologize
| Apologize | I'm sorry to let you down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/","/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzɪz/","/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzd/","/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz/","/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzɪz/","/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzd/","/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈsɒri tə lɛt jʊ daʊn//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈsɔri tə lɛt jʊ daʊn// |
| Meaning | To say sorry for something you did wrong. | I feel bad for not meeting your expectations. |
| Example | I had to apologize to her for breaking her favorite vase. | I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t come to the meeting. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | sincerely, profusely, humbly, ought to, should, want to, for, to, I do apologize, I must apologize | let someone down, sorry to let you down, I don't want to let you down |
| Antonyms | ignore, offend, upset | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'apologize' with 'apology' (the noun form)., Using 'apologize' without specifying whom you are apologizing to., Mistakenly using past tense 'apologized' when 'apologize' is correct in present tense. | Confused with 'let down' as a noun instead of a verb phrase., Using it too frequently can make it lose impact. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apologize' in situations where you need to express regret for your actions. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious using it in very casual situations where slang may be preferred. | Use in personal or professional situations to express regret when disappointing someone. Avoid in very casual contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Apologize vs I'm sorry to let you down
What's the difference between Apologize and I'm sorry to let you down?
Apologize: To say sorry for something you did wrong. I'm sorry to let you down: I feel bad for not meeting your expectations.
Which is more common: Apologize and I'm sorry to let you down?
Apologize is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Apologize: I had to apologize to her for breaking her favorite vase. I'm sorry to let you down: I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t come to the meeting.
Can I use Apologize and I'm sorry to let you down interchangeably?
Not always. Apologize and I'm sorry to let you down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.