Before You Read

Formality and Directness in Responding to an Apology

Read these possible responses to an apology and answer the questions for each column.

  1. Are they formal or informal?
  2. Are they direct or indirect about feelings?
  3. Does the speaker accept or reject an apology?
Responses Formal or Informal Direct or Indirect Accept or Reject

No worries.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

It’s all right.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Apology accepted.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Thanks for the apology, but no harm done.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Not a problem.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Don’t mention it.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Please don’t let it happen again.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Next time you do this, you WILL be sorry…

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

It’s fine.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

It’s not your fault, but I appreciate that you care.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

I forgive you.

  1. Formal
  2. Informal

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Direct
  2. Indirect

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

  1. Accept
  2. Reject

That's correct!

Sorry, that's not correct.

No answer was given. Select an answer and click Submit again.

Submit Reset