Thank Someone and Apologise: A2 Writing

The key idea

Choose a clear thank-you or apology, add one useful detail, and finish kindly.

What is it for?

Learn to write a short thank-you note or apology.

What you need to know

Say thank you or say sorry clearly.
Say what you are thankful for or sorry about.
Add one short detail or reason.
Offer to fix a problem when you can.
Finish with a friendly or polite line.

1. Say thank you clearly

Start with a clear thank-you sentence. Say what the person did or gave you. Then explain why it was good.

Use Thank you for + a thing.
Use Thank you for + a verb ending in -ing.
Add one short detail about the gift or help.

Thank you for the book.

Name the thing you received.

Thank you for helping me.

Use helping after for.

It is great for my English class.

Explain why the gift is useful.

2. Say sorry and explain

Start with one clear apology. Say what happened. Give a short reason with because.

Use I'm sorry I + a past verb.
Use I'm sorry about + a thing or problem.
Use I'm sorry for + a verb ending in -ing.
One clear apology is enough.

I'm sorry I missed the class.

Say what you did.

I'm sorry about the mistake.

Name the problem.

I'm sorry for being late.

Use being after for.

I was ill because I had a fever.

Give one short reason.

3. Offer to fix the problem

Sometimes you can help after an apology. Offer one simple action. Do not make promises you cannot keep.

Use I can + a verb.
Say what you can do next.
Keep the offer short and clear.

I can ask for the class notes.

Offer a useful next step.

I can finish the work tonight.

Say how you will help.

I can bring the book tomorrow.

Offer a clear action.

4. Choose words for the reader

A note to a friend can sound warm and relaxed. A note to a teacher should sound polite. Choose an ending that fits the reader.

Use Hi or Hello with a friend.
Use Dear with a teacher.
Use See you soon with a friend.
Use Best wishes with a teacher.
A short note or email can have the same parts.

Hi Mia, Thank you for the lovely gift!

This greeting and message suit a friend.

Dear Mr Lee, I'm sorry I missed class.

This greeting and message suit a teacher.

See you soon! Best wishes, Sam

Choose one suitable ending for your reader.

How to do it, step by step

Start with a greeting.
Say thank you or say sorry.
Add one detail or a short reason.
Offer to fix the problem, if needed.
Finish with a suitable closing and your name.

Formulas and key language

Use it for	Example	Another example
Thank you for + noun.	Thank you for the present.	Thank you for the lunch.
Thank you for + verb-ing.	Thank you for helping me.	Thank you for waiting for me.
It is great because + reason.	It is great because I love reading.	It is useful because I need a school bag.
I'm sorry I + past verb.	I'm sorry I missed the class.	I'm sorry I forgot the book.
I'm sorry about + noun.	I'm sorry about the mistake.	I'm sorry about the late reply.
I'm sorry for + verb-ing.	I'm sorry for being late.	I'm sorry for arriving late.
I'm sorry I + past verb + because + reason.	I'm sorry I missed class because I was ill.	I'm sorry I arrived late because the bus was slow.
I can + verb.	I can ask for the notes.	I can bring the book tomorrow.
See you soon! / Best wishes, + name	See you soon! Sam	Best wishes, Alex

UK / US: British English often uses apologise. American English often uses apologize. Both spellings are correct.

Model text

Two Short Notes

Note 1: Thank a friend

Hi Mia,

Thank you for the birthday present! I love the blue notebook. It is perfect for my English class. I can use it every day. Thank you for thinking of me. It was a very kind present, and my family likes it too. See you soon!

Sam

This note thanks a friend. It names the gift and explains why it is useful. The ending sounds friendly.

Note 2: Apologise to a teacher

Dear Mr Lee,

I'm sorry I missed class yesterday. I had a fever, so I stayed at home. I can ask a classmate for the notes. I'm going to finish the work tonight. Thank you for understanding.

Best wishes,
Alex

This note gives one clear apology and reason. It offers a simple way to fix the problem. The ending is polite.

Common mistakes

✗ Thank you for help me.

✓ Thank you for helping me.

Use a verb ending in -ing after for.

✗ I'm sorry I miss the class.

✓ I'm sorry I missed the class.

Use the past form for a finished event.

✗ I'm sorry for be late.

✓ I'm sorry for being late.

Use a verb ending in -ing after for.

✗ Thank you about the present.

✓ Thank you for the present.

Use for when you thank someone for something.

✗ Dear Mr Lee, See you soon!

✓ Dear Mr Lee, Best wishes, Alex

Use a polite ending for a teacher.

✗ I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I was late.

✓ I'm sorry I was late.

One clear apology is enough.

Plan it, then check it

Plan

Choose your reader: a friend or a teacher.
Decide what you want to thank them for or apologise about.
Write one clear opening sentence.
Add one useful detail, reason, or offer to help.
Choose a suitable ending and write your name.

Check

Did I say thank you or sorry clearly?
Did I name the gift, help, or problem?
Did I add one useful detail or reason?
Did I offer to help when needed?
Does my ending suit my reader?

Practice

EXERCISE:

Choose the best sentence

Choose the best sentence for each situation.

1.Your friend gave you a book. What can you write?

Thank you for the book clearly shows that you are grateful.

2.You missed your teacher's class yesterday. What can you write?

Use a past verb because the class was yesterday.

3.Your friend helped you with your homework. What can you write?

Use helping after for when you thank someone.

4.You were late for class because the bus was slow. What can you write?

This sentence gives a clear apology and a short reason.

5.You want to offer help after missing class. What can you write?

Use can with the basic form of a verb.

6.You are writing a polite note to your teacher. Which ending is best?

Best wishes is a polite ending for a teacher.

Now write

Your task

Write two short notes. First, thank a friend for a birthday present. Next, apologise to your teacher because you missed a class. Add one detail to each note. Give a reason in the apology. Offer to fix the problem. Choose a suitable ending for each reader.

Target: 2 short notes

Word bank

presentbirthdaynotebooklovelyusefulthank youhelpingsorrymissedyesterdaybecausefevernotestomorrowBest wishes

Sentence starters

Hi ...
Thank you for ...
It is great because ...
Dear ...
I'm sorry I ...
I can ...

Use made-up names and details. Do not share private information.

Instant feedback on your own text is part of Premium.

Check your writing

Did I say thank you or sorry clearly?
Did I say what the gift, help, or problem was?
Did I add one short detail or reason?
Did I offer to fix the problem in my apology?
Did I choose a friendly or polite ending for my reader?

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