sorrysor‧ry /ˈsɒri $ ˈsɑːri, ˈsɔːri/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective (comparative sorrier, superlative sorriest) 
I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. ‘Matt, stop doing that!’ ‘Sorry!’ I’m sorry, did I step on your foot?sorry (that) I’m sorry I’m late – the traffic was terrible.sorry about something Sorry about the mess – I’ll clean it up.sorry for (doing) something I’m sorry for making such a fuss. Sorry to bother you, but what was the address again? b)used as a polite way of introducing disappointing information or a piece of bad news: I’m sorry, but all the flights to Athens are fully booked. c)used when you have said something that is not correct, and want to say something that is correct: Turn right – sorry left – at the traffic lights. d)used when you refuse an offer or request: ‘Are you coming to lunch?’ ‘Sorry, no. I’ve got to finish this work.’ ‘I’ll give you $50 for it.’ ‘Sorry, no deal.’ e)used when you disagree with someone, or tell someone that they have done something wrong: I’m sorry, but I find that very hard to believe, Miss Brannigan.2ashamed [not before noun] feeling ashamed or unhappy about something bad you have donesorry for something She was genuinely sorry for what she had done.sorry (that) Casey was sorry he’d gotten so angry.say (you are) sorry (=tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them, causing problems etc) It was probably too late to say sorry, but she would try anyway.3sorry? spoken used to ask someone to repeat something that you have not heard properly SYN pardon: Sorry? What was that again? ‘Want a drink?’ ‘Sorry?’ ‘I said, would you like a drink?’4feeling pity be/feel sorry for somebody to feel pity or sympathy for someone because something bad has happened to them or because they are in a bad situation: I’ve got no sympathy for him, but I feel sorry for his wife. Tina was sorry for her. She seemed so lonely.feel sorry for yourself (=feel unhappy and pity yourself) It’s no good feeling sorry for yourself. It’s all your own fault.5sad/disappointed [not before noun] feeling sad about a situation, and wishing it were differentsorry (that) Brigid was always sorry she hadn’t kept up her piano lessons.sorry to do something We were sorry to miss your concert. I won’t be sorry to leave this place.sorry to hear/see/learn I was sorry to hear about your accident.sorry about I’m so sorry about your father (=sorry something bad has happened to him).6you’ll be sorry spoken used to tell someone that they will soon wish they had not done something, especially because someone will be angry or punish them: You’ll be sorry when your dad hears about this.7I’m sorry to say (that) spoken used to say that you are disappointed that something has happened: I wrote several times but they never replied, I’m sorry to say.8very bad [only before noun] very bad, especially in a way that makes you feel pity or disapproval: the sorry state of the environment It’s a sorry state of affairs when an old lady has to wait 12 hours to see a doctor. the sorry sight of so many dead animals This whole sorry episode (=bad thing that happened) shows just how incompetent the government has become. → better safe than sorry at safe1(10)GRAMMAR: Patterns with sorry• You are sorry about something bad that has happened: · I’m sorry about what I said.· I’m sorry about your car (=sorry that your car has been damaged).• You are sorry for the delay, the inconvenience, or the trouble: · The next train will arrive in 12 minutes. We are sorry for the delay.• You are sorry for doing something bad: · I’m sorry for upsetting you.• You are sorry that you did something or sorry that something happened: · I’m sorry that I can’t come. ‘That’ can be omitted: · I’m sorry you didn’t get the job. ✗Don’t say: I’m sorry for I can’t come.• If you are sorry to do something, it makes you sad to do it: · I’ll be sorry to leave this place. ✗Don’t say: I’ll be sorry for leaving this place.
WORD ORIGINsorry
Origin:
Old English sarig, from sar ( ➔ SORE1); influenced by sorrow)EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Sorry, but that part is out of stock.
- Oh, sorry, am I sitting in your chair?
- This whole sorry episode shows just how bad things have become.
- Turn in your pink form - sorry, your green form - by tomorrow.
- Well, I'm sorry, but to me, drugs are just not funny.
- But I can't feel sorry for him.
- I am sorry Ma has missed this, she would have been proud of me.
- I feel sorry for the besotted, exhausted businessmen, but it is the schoolkids on the train who break my heart.
- Jim Maier was sorry to see him go.
- Later he was sorry, and much later he was appreciative.
- Sir Oliver is sorry to hear that; but would he not be too smartly dressed to look like a money-lender?
- The whole thing was a sorry spectacle.
Longman Language Activatorto tell someone that you are sorry you did something
to tell someone you are sorry that you have upset them or done something that causes problems for them: · Sometimes it's not easy to say you are sorry.say you are sorry (that): · She finally arrived, and said she was sorry we had been kept waiting.
especially spoken to tell someone that you are sorry you have upset them or done something bad: · She says she won't see him again unless he says sorry.say sorry to: · Go and say sorry to your mother, Andrew.say sorry for (doing) something: · I don't think I should say sorry for doing what at the time I believed to be right.
also apologise British to tell someone that you are sorry, especially in a formal situation or when you do not know the person well: · I don't know why I apologized, because I didn't do anything wrong.apologize for: · I must apologize for my son's behaviour -- he isn't usually this moody.apologize for doing something: · The bank wrote to apologise for overcharging me.apologize to: · The US has apologized to Britain for the accident that cost nine British lives.apologize profusely (=apologize very much): · She rushed into the hotel, apologizing profusely for being so late.
to keep saying you are sorry because you feel guilty or embarrassed about something you have done: · The manager was apologetic, but said that Sue would have to contact head office if she wanted a refund.be apologetic about: · He was most apologetic about not being able to come to the party.
something that you say or write to tell someone that you are sorry: · The story was full of lies, and the paper had to print an apology.· In a written apology, the BBC admitted they had misled the public.accept somebody's apology/apologies formal: · Please accept our apologies for taking so long to deliver the materials you requested.owe somebody an apology: · I never thought she'd get the job. I guess I owe her an apology.demand an apology: · Blake was wrongfully arrested and is now demanding an apology from the police.letter of apology: · As he reflected on his appalling behaviour, he mentally composed a letter of apology to his host.
what you say to tell someone that you are sorry spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry that you upset them or caused problems for them; you can also say this as a polite way of excusing yourself for a small mistake: · I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.· Sorry, did I step on your foot?I'm very/really/terribly sorry: · I'm really sorry, Joanna. I've broken one of your glasses.sorry/I'm sorry (that): · I'm sorry that I shouted at you.· Sorry we're late, Shelley.sorry/I'm sorry about: · Sorry about all the noise.sorry/I'm sorry to do something: · I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to discuss my essay.sorry/I'm sorry for (doing something): · I'm sorry for barging in without ringing the bell.
especially American, spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry because you accidentally touched them or made a small or embarrassing mistake: · Oh, excuse me, is that your bag I just stood on?· Excuse me - I didn't realize there was anyone in here.
formal spoken say this when you make a small mistake and you want to say sorry politely: · "That's my pen." "Oh, I beg your pardon - I thought it was mine.''
also I apologise British say this to apologize in a fairly formal way, for example when you have upset someone or done something wrong or unfair: · You were right and I was wrong. I apologize.· I apologize in advance if anyone's offended by this.I apologize for: · I apologise for writing to you like this, out of the blue.
say this when you have done something that you later find out to be wrong or unfair: · It seems I owe you an apology -- I was supposed to phone you on Saturday night.I owe you an apology for (doing something): · I think I owe you an apology for my behaviour the other night.
say this when you have done something wrong or have upset someone, or when you are going to say or ask something that might seem rude or offensive: · Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you.forgive me for doing something: · Forgive me for asking, but how old are you?· Forgive me for saying this, but you really don't look well at all.
used in formal letters: · Please accept my apologies. I will be taking steps to ensure this does not happen again.please accept my apologies for: · Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this error has caused.
when you think someone else will wish they had not done something spoken use this to say that someone will later regret what they have done, because something bad will happen as a result of their actions: · Ed, you'll be sorry you ever said that.· If you don't start studying for your exams, you'll be sorry later.
spoken use this to say that someone will regret what they have done at a later time, especially a few years from now: · He may think leaving his wife for the other woman is a good idea, but he'll live to regret it.· If you put all your money in this real estate deal, I guarantee you'll live to regret it.
spoken use this to say that although someone is happy about what they have done now, they will wish they had not done it later: · You'll be laughing out of the other side of your face when I start making money with this.
to wish you had not done something to feel sad, embarrassed, or annoyed about something bad or stupid that you have done, and wish you had not done it: be sorry/feel sorry that: · Aunt Jean always felt a little sorry that she had never had children.· I was sorry I ever agreed to go with them.be sorry/feel sorry for (=sorry for something bad that you have done): · I am sorry for any embarrassment I may have caused.be sorry/feel sorry about (=sorry about something that has happened): · Richardson said she was very sorry about the incident.
to wish that you had not done something, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: · It was a stupid thing to say, and I immediately regretted it.· The owners said they regretted the decision to close the store, but felt unable to do otherwise.regret (that): · I think she regrets now that she never went to college.regret doing something: · I have always regretted giving up my piano lessons.deeply regret (=regret very much): · The Public Health ministry said it deeply regretted the error.
to feel that you have done the wrong thing, and wish that you had behaved differently: · I wish I had told him the truth.· I wish I'd realized earlier how much money I could save.· She wished now that she had not agreed to go to the party.
a feeling of sadness that you have when you think you have done the wrong thing, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: · My main regret is that I never finished my college degree.sigh/expression/feeling of regret: · "I was too young to know what I was doing," said Martha with a deep sigh of regret.express regret: · Officers expressed regret about the boy's death.
what you say when you are sorry to have to tell someone some bad news · "Could you lend me a couple of pounds, Katy?" "Sorry, I don't have any money."· I'm sorry that I can't help.I'm sorry to do something · I'm sorry to have to tell you that your grandmother is in hospital.
used in formal letters and official announcements giving someone some bad news: · The airport announced that due to bad weather all flights were cancelled, and they regretted any inconvenience this would cause.regret to inform/tell/say etc: · The management regrets to inform you that your contract will not be renewed next month.· I regret to say that a number of statements made by the department were incorrect.
to not regret doing something · Even though this year has been a difficult one, I have never regretted my decision.not regret doing something · I still miss him sometimes, but I don't regret breaking up with him.not regret it · It's worth trying to save a little every month -- you won't regret it.
to not feel sorry that you did something, especially when other people think you should: not be sorry (that): · I'm not sorry I never got married -- I'm only sorry I didn't have any children.not be sorry to do something: · She wasn't sorry to leave her job.not be sorry about: · Richards says she still isn't sorry about making jokes about the president.not be sorry for: · I'm not sorry for what I said. Somebody had to tell the truth, even if people don't like it.
to be glad that you did a particular thing or that things happened in a particular way: · I'm glad I left Britain and came to live in the US. I have no regrets.· She had decided to have the baby and had no regrets about her decision.have few regrets: · Even though it's hard work they have few regrets about setting up their own business.
spoken use this when you are not at all sorry that you did something, especially something important in your life: · "Are you sorry you left home so young?" "Oh no, I'd do the same thing again."· He insulted me, so I hit him. And I'd do it again.· Julia doesn't regret having Ben, and if she could turn the clock back she'd do the same again.· I wasn't always happy, but I'd do it again if I had the chance.
spoken say this when you do not regret a situation that happened in the past, even if it involved problems or if it upset you at that time: · Sure, I was devastated when Harry went back to his wife, but even so I wouldn't change a thing.
ways of asking someone to repeat something also excuse me? American spoken say this when you want to ask someone politely to repeat what they just said because you did not hear it: · "It's hot today, isn't it?" "Pardon?"· "Could you tell me what time it is?" "Sorry?"· "Damn," I muttered. "Excuse me?" said the clerk.
spoken informal say this when you did not hear what someone said, or when you are surprised by what they said: · "Are you going to the bar?" "What? Oh, yes, I suppose so."· "Oh, shut up!" "What did you say?"
also could you repeat that/the question etc? use this in formal situations to ask someone to repeat something: · "My name's Marsden." "Would you mind repeating that, please?"· "How long have you been here?" "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
to feel sad and pity yourself especially spoken to spend a lot of time thinking about how unlucky you are or how unfairly you have been treated, in a way that annoys other people: · Stop blaming other people and feeling sorry for yourself.· Andy was drinking too much again, and feeling sorry for himself.
to feel unhappy because of something bad that has happened, and to not be interested in doing anything, in a way that other people think is not reasonable: · Don't just lie there moping, waiting for the phone to ring.mope around/about (=go around a place moping): · He's not even attempting to look for a job -- he just mopes around the house all day.mope over: · There's no point moping over Jane - she's not worth it.
: wallow in self-pity/despair/misery etc to keep thinking about how unhappy you are, in a way that makes other people think that you are actually enjoying feeling sorry for yourself and do not want to feel happier: · She told herself that she must try and learn from his criticism, rather than wallowing in self-pity.· It's no good wallowing in misery. You just have to get out there and find another job.
the feeling you have when you feel sorry for yourself, because you think that you have been very unlucky or that you have been treated unfairly: · If you feel a wave of self-pity coming on, go and talk about it with friends.· Jenny told her story without any of the self-pity that I thought I would feel after such an ordeal.
to feel sorry because someone else is in a bad situation to feel sad for someone because they have had bad luck or they are in a bad situation: · I think he felt sorry for me because I'd just lost my wallet.· He'll probably go to jail for this. It's his wife I feel sorry for.· I feel sorry for the poor person who's going to have to sort this mess out.· I feel really sorry for young married couples these days. It's hard going for them.can't help feeling sorry for somebody (=use this when you should not really feel sorry for someone, but you do): · I know he's being a jerk, but I can't help feeling a little sorry for him.
also sympathise British to feel sad for someone who is having problems, because you understand how they feel: · My dear, I completely understand and sympathize, but there's not much I can do about it, really.sympathize with: · She felt Mark should have sympathised with her and supported her, instead of criticizing. sympathize with somebody's plight/problems/dilemma: · It's hard not to sympathize with the plight of single parents in today's world.
to feel sad for someone who is having problems, because you understand how they feel: · I have great sympathy for anyone who has lived through depression.· It wasn't possible not to feel sympathy for Anna -- she'd lost her husband and her son in the space of only a few weeks.have/feel deep sympathy for: · The judge said he had the deepest sympathy for Maria's situation, but that he had no option but to sentence her.
to sympathize very strongly and sincerely with someone who has problems, is suffering etc: · Of course I feel for him - he's my brother. But he did bring it on himself.· You couldn't help but feel for Charles. He'd been so unlucky in life.
to feel very sorry for someone who is in a much worse situation than you: · I pity anyone who has to feed a family on such a low income.· I don't want you to pity me - I just want you to help me.· He felt pity for Marla out there all by herself in some little nowhere town.
spoken use this to say that you feel extremely sorry for someone, especially because something very sad has happened to them: · I know how awfully disappointed you must be, and my heart goes out to you.· My heart went out to all those poor little children standing shivering in the cold.
to feel sorry for someone and do something to help them: · The old couple, poor as they were, took pity on her and gave her food.· We walked on through the pouring rain until a kind driver took pity on us and offered us a ride.
to realize that someone is unhappy or having problems, and behave kindly to them: · I'm sure if you talk to your boss, he'll understand.· You can only apologize, and hope that she'll understand.understand why/what/how: · I completely understand how things are when money is tight.· We're trying very hard to understand what she's going through.
what you say to tell someone that you sympathize spoken say this to tell someone you are sad that something bad has happened to them: · I heard about your father's death; I'm very sorry.· Jules, I am sorry. I had no idea.I'm sorry about: · Mavis, I'm really sorry about your Ma. It must have been a terrible shock.
spoken say this to tell someone that you are worried about them and that you hope they will be all right: · Take care, Lucy. I'll be thinking of you.· Tell Harry I'll be thinking of him and I hope he'll be home soon.
British spoken say this to show your sympathy for someone who has tried to do something and failed: · Bad luck, Paul. I'm sure you'll pass next time.· Oh what a shame. Bad luck Chris.
formal written use this in a letter to someone you do not know very well, whose close relative or friend has died: · We were so sorry to hear of your sister's death. You have our deepest sympathy.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I’m sorry I’m late – the traffic was terrible. Sorry to bother you, but what was the address again? I was sorry to hear about your accident. the sorry state of the environment It’s a sorry state of affairs when an old lady has to wait 12 hours to see a doctor. the sorry sight of so many dead animals This whole sorry episode (=bad thing that happened) shows just how incompetent the government has become.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
I’m sorry I’m late – the traffic was terrible. Sorry to bother you, but what was the address again? (=tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them, causing problems etc) It was probably too late to say sorry, but she would try anyway.
It was probably too late to say sorry, but she would try anyway. (=feel unhappy and pity yourself) It’s no good feeling sorry for yourself. It’s all your own fault.
It’s no good feeling sorry for yourself. It’s all your own fault. I was sorry to hear about your accident. the sorry state of the environment It’s a sorry state of affairs when an old lady has to wait 12 hours to see a doctor. the sorry sight of so many dead animals This whole sorry episode (=bad thing that happened) shows just how incompetent the government has become. spoken (=said to apologize for interrupting what someone is doing)· Sorry to disturb you, but could you sign this letter, please?
· It was probably too late to say sorry.
I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting.· Housewife's choice I wish you and your staff to know how sorry I am that Punch is to be no more.· I can't tell you how sorry I am, so you must just imagine it.· Tell him how sorry you are for letting Satan influence your life.· We'd been saying how awful it was, how sorry we were for Connie.· She had left the previous night without speaking to him, without giving him the chance to say how sorry he was.· He could tell her face to face how sorry he was for the incident of the previous night.· It was tinged with panic too for finally he could only babble again and again how sorry he was.· I can't tell you how sorry I am, Adam.
· I felt really sorry for Micky.· J., screwing up one eve to show she was really sorry.· She said it without spite as though she were really sorry.
· For a moment he was taken aback as he realised she was so sorry for him she was arranging a date.· It is I who am so sorry for disturbing you.
· Sorry. Terribly sorry, darling.· Rather than write: We are terribly sorry that our representative was abrupt on the telephone last Tuesday.· She said she was terribly sorry to disturb him.· He made me feel terribly sorry I had ever asked, but also terribly glad I'd been wrong.· We are all terribly sorry and worried about this, as we don't know what has happened.· Silvio's receptionist was always terribly sorry, but il signore was busy.· I am terribly sorry this should have happened and I sincerely hope that we hear from them.
· He was sorry, very sorry, but that did not keep him from doing the same thing again and again.· I am very sorry you feel no desire to overcome this condition.· Tom Schutte, who does, was very sorry for the confusion, and has been forwarding calls to the appropriate bands.· I felt very sorry for him then.· I am very sorry and please forgive me.· The long jacket of her black costume had lost all its buttons, and the skirt seemed very sorry for itself.· We are also very sorry to all clubs and venues omitted from our mammoth listing of live music.
NOUN· It was, I now thought, a sorry sight.
· Overfishing alone is responsible for the sorry state of the pelagic fish populations.· Welcome to the sorry state of the apology, when regrets seem to come most readily when they matter the least.· When Howard first showed me his feet, they were in a sorry state.· Given the sorry state of official records, the only hope is living memories or undiscovered data.· Themes cover everything from the sorry state of the environment to how money corrupts on to how people are persecuted because of their appearance.· Unfortunately the fish appeared to be in rather a sorry state.· How did they allow this sorry state of affairs to come about?
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► I’m sorry to say (that)PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► come to a pretty/sorry pass► may I trouble you?/sorry to trouble you
1sorry/I’m sorry spoken a)used to tell someone that you wish you had not done something that has affected them badly, hurt them etc: - You'll be sorry when your dad hears about this.
- Sorry about all the noise.
- Sorry we're late, Shelley.
- Sorry, did I step on your foot?
- I'm sorry for barging in without ringing the bell.
- I'm sorry that I shouted at you.
- I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to discuss my essay.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.
- I'm really sorry, Joanna. I've broken one of your glasses.
- I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
- Sorry? What was the last point?
- For a minute, she felt sorry for the girl.
- I just feel sorry for the ones who didn't make the team.
- A minute earlier he had been feeling sorry for the men who were still out on house-to-house questioning.
- He feels sorry for himself, torn between two jealousies.
- Nobody felt sorry for my sister.
- One feels sorry for the little ones in some circumstances and they nearly become like children - but not quite.
- They'd be sorry for me, they'd give me whisky and aspirins and send me to a psychiatrist.
- Watching him shuffle off to the press room, I felt sorry for poor Feels.
- Yet he made her feel sorry for Miss Lavant, a woman she'd hardly thought about before.
- Your problem is that every time a relationship goes bad, you feel sorry for yourself and become more of a loner.
- Art, it's Lisa again - sorry to keep bothering you.
- I am sorry to bother you with this news but I think it is for the best.
- I think I'll take my umbrella along - better safe than sorry.
- Anyway, better safe than sorry.
- The overall message of precaution-better safe than sorry-has intuitive appeal.
I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. ‘Matt, stop doing that!’ ‘Sorry!’ I’m sorry, did I step on your foot?sorry (that) I’m sorry I’m late – the traffic was terrible.sorry about something Sorry about the mess – I’ll clean it up.sorry for (doing) something I’m sorry for making such a fuss. Sorry to bother you, but what was the address again? b)used as a polite way of introducing disappointing information or a piece of bad news: I’m sorry, but all the flights to Athens are fully booked. c)used when you have said something that is not correct, and want to say something that is correct: Turn right – sorry left – at the traffic lights. d)used when you refuse an offer or request: ‘Are you coming to lunch?’ ‘Sorry, no. I’ve got to finish this work.’ ‘I’ll give you $50 for it.’ ‘Sorry, no deal.’ e)used when you disagree with someone, or tell someone that they have done something wrong: I’m sorry, but I find that very hard to believe, Miss Brannigan.2ashamed [not before noun] feeling ashamed or unhappy about something bad you have donesorry for something She was genuinely sorry for what she had done.sorry (that) Casey was sorry he’d gotten so angry.say (you are) sorry (=tell someone that you feel bad about hurting them, causing problems etc) It was probably too late to say sorry, but she would try anyway.3sorry? spoken used to ask someone to repeat something that you have not heard properly SYN pardon: Sorry? What was that again? ‘Want a drink?’ ‘Sorry?’ ‘I said, would you like a drink?’4feeling pity be/feel sorry for somebody to feel pity or sympathy for someone because something bad has happened to them or because they are in a bad situation: I’ve got no sympathy for him, but I feel sorry for his wife. Tina was sorry for her. She seemed so lonely.feel sorry for yourself (=feel unhappy and pity yourself) It’s no good feeling sorry for yourself. It’s all your own fault.5sad/disappointed [not before noun] feeling sad about a situation, and wishing it were differentsorry (that) Brigid was always sorry she hadn’t kept up her piano lessons.sorry to do something We were sorry to miss your concert. I won’t be sorry to leave this place.sorry to hear/see/learn I was sorry to hear about your accident.sorry about I’m so sorry about your father (=sorry something bad has happened to him).6you’ll be sorry spoken used to tell someone that they will soon wish they had not done something, especially because someone will be angry or punish them: You’ll be sorry when your dad hears about this.7I’m sorry to say (that) spoken used to say that you are disappointed that something has happened: I wrote several times but they never replied, I’m sorry to say.8very bad [only before noun] very bad, especially in a way that makes you feel pity or disapproval: the sorry state of the environment It’s a sorry state of affairs when an old lady has to wait 12 hours to see a doctor. the sorry sight of so many dead animals This whole sorry episode (=bad thing that happened) shows just how incompetent the government has become. → better safe than sorry at safe1(10)GRAMMAR: Patterns with sorry• You are sorry about something bad that has happened: · I’m sorry about what I said.· I’m sorry about your car (=sorry that your car has been damaged).• You are sorry for the delay, the inconvenience, or the trouble: · The next train will arrive in 12 minutes. We are sorry for the delay.• You are sorry for doing something bad: · I’m sorry for upsetting you.• You are sorry that you did something or sorry that something happened: · I’m sorry that I can’t come. ‘That’ can be omitted: · I’m sorry you didn’t get the job. ✗Don’t say: I’m sorry for I can’t come.• If you are sorry to do something, it makes you sad to do it: · I’ll be sorry to leave this place. ✗Don’t say: I’ll be sorry for leaving this place.