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Almost. I hate any variant of the phrasing "I apologize." It still serves to distance yourself from the apology. An apology is a thing. You can say that another
by scott_s 13y ago
Almost. I hate any variant of the phrasing "I apologize." It still serves to distance yourself from the apology. An apology is a thing. You can say that another person apologizes. But "I apologize" is not, in itself, an apology. An apology is saying "I am sorry."
The reason I care is that I think it takes more humility to say the simple words "I am sorry" than "I apologize." Saying "I am sorry" is an admission of feeling. Saying "I apologize" is trying to narrate at event that did not actually happen.
- asdfologist 13y agoI think you're taking the words too literally. Colloquially they mean pretty much the same thing, though "I apologize" has a more formal tone.
- scott_s 13y agoThey mean the same thing colloquially because people are uncomfortable saying the words "I'm sorry." They want the formality to separate themselves from the awkwardness and frankness of admitting an emotional state.
- cushychicken 13y ago#nitpick
- scott_s 13y agoYes. I am particular when it comes to sincerity.