> An apology, at least to me, is a statement that you regret an action you performed, and hence are saying that if you were transported back in time and could

> An apology, at least to me, is a statement that you regret an action you performed, and hence are saying that if you were transported back in time and could relive that moment, you would have acted differently. I've been trying to think of how to express a response to this which is clear. Here's my best shot. One can regret actions one performed, or actions one didn't perform. If you were to express such regret for either, it'd be deemed an apology. Strictly speaking, "regret" doesn't imply that could you relive the moment, you would have acted differently. As per the dictionary definition: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/regret http://www.thefreedictionary.com/regret 1. To feel sorry, disappointed, or distressed about. The negative consequences of an action or inaction is apparent only in hindsight. You might do something differently if transported back in time, if you somehow had that hindsight, but feel absent that impossible scenario, you acted as could be expected by anyone, including yourself. Finally, you may have faced what amounts to a no-win situation, where there was no way to choose outcomes that would avoid negative consequences for someone else without betraying some defining principle by which you choose to live your life. You may regret your actions (or lack thereof) and their consequences for others, without feeling there was a way to do better. Really, there is a lot more nuance and variation available on this.