20 Other Ways to Say “Sorry to Keep You Waiting”

Apologizing for any delay or wait is an important aspect of politeness, particularly in situations where time is of essence.

If you find yourself needing to express regret for an unforeseen holdup, varying your language can help to mitigate any annoyance caused.

Here are 20 alternative ways to say “Sorry to keep you waiting,” each paired with an example sentence and an explanation to help you communicate your apology considerately and effectively.

Expressions of Apology:

1. “I apologize for the delay.”

• Example: “I apologize for the delay; we encountered unexpected traffic.”
• Explanation: A straightforward acknowledgment of the wait caused, offering a concise explanation.

2. “Thank you for your patience.”

• Example: “Thank you for your patience; your time is very much appreciated.”
• Explanation: Instead of directly saying sorry, this thanks the person for waiting, implying an apology.

3. “Regretfully, we’ve kept you waiting longer than intended.”

• Example: “Regretfully, we’ve kept you waiting longer than intended due to system updates.”
• Explanation: Communicates remorse for the wait, with an implicit understanding that the time frame was exceeded.

4. “I appreciate your understanding as you’ve waited.”

• Example: “The response has been overwhelming; I appreciate your understanding as you’ve waited.”
• Explanation: Shows gratitude for the person’s tolerance during the wait, reflecting recognition of the inconvenience.

5. “My sincerest apologies for the holdup.”

• Example: “The printer malfunction was unexpected—my sincerest apologies for the holdup.”
• Explanation: Offers a heartfelt expression of regret for the delay.

Courteous Acknowledgments:

6. “I’m sorry to have taken up your time.”

• Example: “Your presentation is next— I’m sorry to have taken up your time.”
• Explanation: This apology not only addresses the wait but acknowledges the importance of the person’s time.

7. “Please accept my apologies for making you wait.”

• Example: “Please accept my apologies for making you wait; we’re doing our best to speed things up.”
• Explanation: A polite appeal for forgiveness, combined with reassurance about efforts to minimize further delay.

8. “I realize I’ve kept you beyond our scheduled time.”

• Example: “The meeting ran over, and I realize I’ve kept you beyond our scheduled time.”
• Explanation: Recognizes specific failure to meet a set timeline, with an implied mea culpa.

9. “We value your time and apologize for any inconvenience.”

• Example: “We value your time and apologize for any inconvenience our remodeling may have caused.”
• Explanation: Affirms the person’s time as important, coupling the apology with recognition of potential trouble caused.

10. “I trust your wait will be worthwhile.”

• Example: “I’m finalizing the details now—I trust your wait will be worthwhile.”
• Explanation: Offers hope that the outcome will compensate for the inconvenience of the wait.

Professional Apologies:

11. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused.”

• Example: “Our systems are now up and running; we’re sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused.”
• Explanation: A formal corporate way of expressing remorse for disruptions.

12. “Your indulgence is greatly appreciated.”

• Example: “The auditorium is now ready for you; your indulgence is greatly appreciated.”
• Explanation: Acknowledges and thanks the person for their leniency or forgiveness.

13. “My apologies for any delay I’ve imposed on you.”

• Example: “The files took longer to compile than expected—my apologies for any delay I’ve imposed on you.”
• Explanation: Explicitly refers to the inconvenience being imposed, underlining the speaker’s responsibility.

14. “We regret any setback this delay has caused.”

• Example: “We regret any setback this delay has caused in your day’s agenda.”
• Explanation: Recognizes that the wait may have a domino effect on the person’s schedule.

15. “Please forgive the wait, and thank you for your understanding.”

• Example: “Please forgive the wait, and thank you for your understanding during our busiest season.”
• Explanation: This combines a request for forgiveness with gratitude, contextualizing the reason for the wait.

Friendly Reassurances:

16. “Hope I haven’t held you up too much.”

• Example: “Just wrapping up now—hope I haven’t held you up too much.”
• Explanation: A casual, friendly check-in that implies an apology for the wait.

17. “So sorry to have kept you—let’s get right to it.”

• Example: “So sorry to have kept you—let’s get right to it, shall we?”
• Explanation: A quick apology followed immediately by an invitation to proceed, minimizing further delay.

18. “I appreciate you sticking around!”

• Example: “That took longer than I predicted – I appreciate you sticking around!”
• Explanation: Expresses gratitude, casting the person’s wait as a personal favor.

19. “Thanks for hanging in there with us.”

• Example: “The updates are finally complete—thanks for hanging in there with us.”
• Explanation: Uses words of appreciation to acknowledge the person for staying despite the wait.

20. “Our sincere apologies for the extended wait time.”

• Example: “Adjustments have been completed—our sincere apologies for the extended wait time.”
• Explanation: Communicates formal regret for a wait time that exceeded normal expectations.

Each of these alternative expressions helps to communicate regret for making someone wait, while reflecting respect and acknowledgment of the inconvenience caused.

By varying your apologies, you also signal your genuine concern for the person’s time, which can preserve goodwill and maintain a positive rapport even when delays occur.