apology

apology — 名詞

1. what you say or write to tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them or ab

1.名詞B1
釋義

道歉

為過錯所說或所寫的歉意話語

what you say or write to tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them or about a mistake you made.

例句

Wen wrote his teacher a long apology for cheating on the math test.

馬克斯為了數學考試作弊，寫了一封很長的道歉信給老師。

apology for + -ing

Otto owes her sister an apology after breaking her favorite mug.

莉娜打破了姊姊最愛的馬克杯，欠她一個道歉。

owe someone an apology

同義詞
  • sorry

    the spoken word itself; 'apology' is the formal noun for the act

  • regret

    stronger inner feeling; an apology expresses regret outwardly

  • excuse

    a reason given to defend yourself; an apology admits fault

文法句型

apology to + person

apology for + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Often paired with verbs make / offer / accept / owe / demand. The thing you are sorry for follows 'for'; the person you are sorry to follows 'to'.

常見錯誤

❌I gave an apology to him about my mistake.
✅I gave him an apology for my mistake.
💡use 'for' (not 'about') before the thing you regret.
❌She made apology for being late.
✅She made an apology for being late.
💡countable here, so it needs 'an' or 'the'.

2. a polite message, usually in the plural, that you send to say you cannot come to

2.名詞B2
釋義

致歉；告假

禮貌通知無法出席的訊息

a polite message, usually in the plural, that you send to say you cannot come to a meeting, party, or event.

例句

Three board members sent their apologies before the Friday meeting began.

週五會議開始前，三位董事傳來致歉，告知無法出席。

send one's apologies (plural)

Please pass on my apologies to the bride; my flight was cancelled.

請替我向新娘致歉，我的班機被取消了。

pass on apologies + to person

同義詞
  • regrets

    interchangeable in formal invitations: 'send one's regrets'

  • excuses

    more general; can sound dismissive, while 'apologies' is polite

文法句型

send/give one's apologies

apologies for + -ing

用法筆記

Almost always plural in this sense and typical of meetings, weddings, and formal events. Distinguish from sense 1: here, no fault is being admitted; the speaker is simply unable to attend.

常見錯誤

❌I send my apology to the meeting tomorrow.
✅I send my apologies to the meeting tomorrow.
💡this sense uses the plural form.

3. a piece of writing or a speech that argues in favour of an idea, faith, or syste

3.名詞C1
釋義

辯護；辯護文

為信念或制度所作的書面辯護

a piece of writing or a speech that argues in favour of an idea, faith, or system that other people often attack.

例句

Plato's text 'Apology' presents Socrates' defence at his trial in Athens.

柏拉圖的著作《申辯》記錄蘇格拉底在雅典審判中的辯護。

title use: 'an apology for'

The pamphlet was a passionate apology for free public libraries.

這本小冊子是對免費公共圖書館的熱情辯護。

apology for + cause

同義詞
  • defence

    the everyday word; 'apology' here is more scholarly

  • vindication

    stresses proving something right; an apology argues the case

  • justification

    neutral; an apology often answers public criticism

反義詞
  • attack

    a piece arguing against the same belief

  • critique

    a balanced or negative analysis, not a defence

文法句型

apology for + noun

用法筆記

Academic and literary register, often in titles of essays or books. Unlike sense 1, no regret is involved; the writer is defending, not apologising. Cue: this sense is followed by 'for' + a belief or cause, not a wrongdoing.

常見錯誤

❌His apology for capitalism was very emotional.' (read as 'said sorry')
✅Add context: 'His written apology
💡a passionate defence of capitalism — was very emotional.' — readers will guess sense 1 unless the defending context is clear.