25 Other Ways to Say “Sorry for Wasting Your Time”

Apologizing for taking up someone’s time unnecessarily is important for maintaining goodwill and respect. Here are 20 alternative ways to express regret for wasting someone’s time, each with an example sentence and an explanation.

Polite Apologies

1. “I apologize for any inconvenience.”

• Example: “I apologize for any inconvenience caused by the mix-up in the schedule.”
• Explanation: A standard and formal way of expressing regret for causing someone trouble or wasted time.

2. “I regret the oversight.”

• Example: “The meeting was unnecessary, and I regret the oversight.”
• Explanation: Takes responsibility for a mistake that led to wasting someone else’s time.

3. “My apologies for the miscommunication.”

• Example: “My apologies for the miscommunication that led to this confusion.”
• Explanation: Expresses regret specifically related to a communication error.

Considerate Responses

4. “I’m sorry for taking up your valuable time.”

• Example: “You’ve been very patient with us, and I’m sorry for taking up your valuable time.”
• Explanation: Acknowledges the importance of the person’s time and expresses regret for using it unwisely.

5. “I appreciate your understanding.”

• Example: “That turned out to be unnecessary, and I appreciate your understanding.”
• Explanation: Thanks the person for their patience and understanding, while also issuing an apology.

6. “Thank you for your patience.”

• Example: “It seems we didn’t need this meeting after all. Thank you for your patience.”
• Explanation: While expressing gratitude, it also implies regret for the time spent.

Sincere Admissions

7. “I owe you an apology.”

• Example: “I realize now that wasn’t the best use of our time. I owe you an apology.”
• Explanation: A direct admission of fault accompanied by an apology.

8. “I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time.”

• Example: “The issue was less complex than I thought. I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time.”
• Explanation: States that the time taken was unintentional and offers an apology.

9. “I’m sorry for any disruption caused.”

• Example: “Our meeting wasn’t necessary. I’m sorry for any disruption caused.”
• Explanation: Addresses any negative impact the wasted time might have had on the person’s schedule.

Gracious Acknowledgments

10. “Please accept my sincere apologies.”

• Example: “Please accept my sincere apologies for the unnecessary delay today.”
• Explanation: Offers a heartfelt apology, highlighting the sincerity of the sentiment.

11. “I regret any time wasted.”

• Example: “I should have double-checked our requirements. I regret any time wasted.”
• Explanation: Expresses remorse for the time lost due to one’s actions.

12. “I hope you can forgive my error in judgment.”

• Example: “We could have handled that via email. I hope you can forgive my error in judgment.”
• Explanation: Seeks pardon for a poor decision that resulted in wasted time.

Recognizing Time Value

13. “It was not my intention to waste your time.”

• Example: “The team had already resolved the issue when we scheduled this meeting. It was not my intention to waste your time.”
• Explanation: Clarifies that there was no intention to misuse the person’s time while expressing regret.

14. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

• Example: “You had to travel all this way for nothing. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
• Explanation: Specifically apologizes for causing the person difficulty or trouble.

15. “I deeply regret the time lost.”

• Example: “Our preparation wasn’t necessary, and I deeply regret the time lost.”
• Explanation: Demonstrates a profound understanding of the value of lost time and communicates regret.

Seeking Understanding

16. “I hope to make better use of your time in the future.”

• Example: “Today’s meeting was longer than expected. I hope to make better use of your time in the future.”
• Explanation: Besides apologizing, it also indicates a desire to improve and value the person’s time moving forward.

17. “I’m sorry for the unnecessary back and forth.”

• Example: “We should have finalized the details earlier. I’m sorry for the unnecessary back and forth.”
• Explanation: Apologizes for the wasted time and effort that went into repeated communications.

18. “My sincere apologies for overlooking this.”

• Example: “We could have resolved this issue without a meeting. My sincere apologies for overlooking this.”
• Explanation: Reflects an acknowledgment of a mistake that led to wasting another’s time.

Expressing Remorse

19. “I feel bad about the wasted time.”

• Example: “This could have been an email update instead. I feel bad about the wasted time.”
• Explanation: Communicates personal regret for the situation that occurred.

20. “I’m sorry for any frustration this may have caused.”

• Example: “I’m sorry for any frustration this may have caused; it wasn’t necessary to convene.”
• Explanation: Recognizes the emotional impact, such as frustration, resulting from the wasted time.

21. “My mistake for causing this inconvenience.”

• Example: “I misread the situation and scheduled this briefing. My mistake for causing this inconvenience.”
• Explanation: Takes ownership of the error and the inconvenient situation that ensued.

22. “Sorry for keeping you longer than needed.”

• Example: “We’ve covered the main points early on. Sorry for keeping you longer than needed.”
• Explanation: A direct apology for unnecessarily extending an engagement.

23. “It wasn’t my intention to overspend our time together.”

• Example: “The discussion could have been more concise. It wasn’t my intention to overspend our time together.”
• Explanation: Apologizes for not making more efficient use of the time spent together, whether in a meeting or other collaborative setting.

24. “A thousand apologies for the delay.”

• Example: “A thousand apologies for the delay in commencement. We’ll ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
• Explanation: Offers a strong, somewhat dramatic expression of remorse for the time lost.

25. “I regret holding you up unnecessarily.”

• Example: “I realize those details were already made clear. I regret holding you up unnecessarily.”
• Explanation: Acknowledges the other person was detained without sufficient reason and offers regret.

Each phrase offers a respectful way to accept responsibility for using up someone’s time without being dismissive of their feelings. They’re useful for maintaining amicable relations and for demonstrating a considerate and professional approach to communication.