how to apologise for not replying to an email

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pearl shillingford

12/29/20 at 9:50AM UTC

how to apologise for not replying to an email

10 Comments

Amanda Sewell

118

Strategic Partnership Manager outside Philly

12/29/20 at 1:42PM UTC

What is the context? If I forgot, I simply say "I am so sorry for the delay in my response", if it got caught in junk mail I tell them, "So sorry for the delay, it seems your email went to my junk mail and I am only seeing it now". If I am intentionally ignoring it (and plan to continue to), "My apologies, I need additional time to ruminate on the issue".

2 Replies

Talitha Rieken

12/29/20 at 2:41PM UTC

"Thank you for you patience in my response"

Barbara Novak

12/29/20 at 4:45PM UTC

"Thank you for your patience...."

Stacey Smith

Digital Evangelist

12/29/20 at 2:22PM UTC

Over time I've shifted my response away from "I'm sorry" to "Thank you for your patience..." and then either answer the question, or if I feel additional context is needed on the delay, I'll say, "Thank you for your patience, I needed to...think this through a bit / gather more data or information / check in with a team member / close out a few priority projects...before I could respond."

Jacqueline Cutler

Journalist

12/29/20 at 6:45PM UTC

I would apologize without going into details. Just a quick: "I am sorry it has taken me a little while to respond." Then get to the business of the email. Personally, I am always put off by people thanking me for patience because it assumes I have any.

Whitnee Hawthorne

12/29/20 at 7:41PM UTC

I agree "Thank you for your patience" is a better response than an apology in most instances. Another way might be to say "Thank you for understanding my delayed response due to XXX" if there were some extenuating circumstances or if you were on PTO.

Aparajita (AJ) Jeedigunta

Making the Invisible Visible for A Better Life

12/29/20 at 8:24PM UTC

It really depends on why there was a delay in your email response. Unless someone else's work got drastically affected by your delay, I wouldn't necessarily apologize. I second Whitnee's suggestion of "Thank you for understanding my delayed response due to XXX." I'd keep it brief and tactful and I'd also try to set up some notifications or reminders in place so that I can minimize delays with that person in the future.

Sandra Trolinger

Contracts Administrator in Texas

12/30/20 at 3:12AM UTC

Also, I have sent an email and it actually hangs up in the sent folder and didn't go through. Technology glitches happen. I have even called a client to make contact after getting an email that required more than just a few well written sentences. Never underestimate the power of picking up the phone.

Krista Coutts

292

Marketing Professional, Cross-Functional Leader

12/31/20 at 4:47PM UTC

One lesson I have learned recently that I (and most women) do all the time is apologize! Sometimes it is necessary, but sometimes it is not. Think about starting your response with, "thank you so much for your patience in receiving...." this way you acknowledge the delay, without falling on your sword! Good luck!!

Keila Alvarado

111

Creative Director skilled in writing & marketing

12/31/20 at 10:52PM UTC

It depends on the situation. If you are not exactly obligated or responsible for giving a reply...then what the others mentioned below about “thank you for your patience” is a good alternative rather than apologizing. But if you really feel badly and the situation calls for a pressing response, feel free to say something like: “Sincerest apologies for the delay.” Then change the subject to the task at hand as one must not dwell neither on the excuses for the delay nor on the apology.