Are you trying to find the best way to apologize to someone for feeling a certain way?
Perhaps you’re wondering how to professional say “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
If you’re worried that the phrase is rude or unprofessional, we’re here to help.
This article has gathered the best alternatives to teach you what to say instead of “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
Is It Rude to Say “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”?
It is rude to say “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
It is not an apology. In fact, it’s a really bad way to apologize to someone because it takes the impact out of what they’re feeling and suggests it’s their fault for being upset.
Generally, it’s a form of gaslighting that suggests someone shouldn’t feel bad about what you said or did. Therefore, it’s not professional and not worth including it in your emails.
You can check out this example to learn more about how it works:
I’m sorry you feel that way. I will, of course, find a way to make things right for you.
Pros
- It’s technically an apology.
- It, at the very least, establishes that someone feels bad or unhappy.
Cons
- It’s rude.
- It doesn’t take responsibility for your actions and blames the offended party for being upset.
So, it’s clear that “I’m sorry you feel that way” isn’t a good choice in your formal writing. It’s rude, and you’ll need an alternative to ensure you don’t offend anyone.
Keep reading to find out how to apologize for the way someone feels. We’ve provided 10 of the best synonyms to show you what options you have.
What to Say Instead of “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”
- I regret that I have upset you
- I apologize if you’re feeling like that
- It’s unfortunate that you saw it like that
- I did not mean to make you uncomfortable
- I regret that our actions have led you to feel like this
- I’m sorry if my approach has caused this
- I apologize for any role I had in your feeling this way
- I’m sorry that you disagree with me
- I hope we can work this out, but I’m sorry
1. I Regret That I Have Upset You
You should start by using “I regret that I have upset you” instead of saying “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
It’s professional and sincere. It also takes responsibility for your mistake, showing that you understand if you’ve done something to upset another person.
Use it when contacting a client. After all, it’s a great way to remind them that you’re on their side and don’t want to do anything to offend them.
If you’re still unsure, you can check out this example:
Dear Ms. Smith,
I regret that I have upset you with my previous email.
Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make this right.
Yours,
George Marsh
2. I Apologize If You’re Feeling Like That
Another great option is to write “I apologize if you’re feeling like that.” It’s genuine and formal, making it a great choice in an email.
Try using it when reaching out to a customer. It shows that they’re not feeling good about a situation, but you’re trying to help them understand that it’s out of your control.
We also recommend reviewing this sample email:
Dear Mr. Clarkson,
I apologize if you’re feeling like that.
However, I don’t think there’s another solution, so I’m afraid I can’t change my stance.
Best regards,
Jonathan Wells
3. It’s Unfortunate That You Saw It Like That
Next, you can write “it’s unfortunate that you saw it like that.”
It’s a great one to include when texting your friends. It shows that you had a disagreement that offended them, and you want to apologize.
It doesn’t take responsibility, but it shows you’re willing to work out a common ground.
Feel free to review these examples to learn more:
It’s unfortunate that you saw it like that, as it wasn’t my intention to offend you.
I hope we can work out another solution.
Look, it’s unfortunate that you saw it like that. Can we talk about this again soon to figure it out?
4. I Did Not Mean to Make You Uncomfortable
We also recommend trying “I did not mean to make you uncomfortable” when texting your friends after an argument.
It shows that you’re very sorry to have said something offensive. Generally, it’s a good way to own your mistakes and show that you’re sorry for upsetting them.
It’s genuine and polite. That’s what makes it work so well when reaching out to someone you care about.
Perhaps these text message examples will also help you to understand it:
I did not mean to make you uncomfortable with my previous message. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to apologize.
I’m very sorry, as I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. Do you think we can get through this?
5. I Regret That Our Actions Have Led You to Feel Like This
If you’re looking for another way to say “I’m sorry you feel that way,” you can use “I regret that our actions have led you to feel like this.”
It’s certainly a professional choice. It tends to work well when contacting clients to let them know that you don’t have any other options and have to stick with your original plans for them.
We also recommend reviewing the following example:
Dear Ms. Bray,
I regret that our actions have led you to feel like this.
However, I do not think we have any other options, so we must continue.
Yours,
Clara Kingsley
6. I’m Sorry if My Approach Has Caused This
Try using “I’m sorry if my approach has caused this” when texting a friend. It’s an effective way to let your friends know that you’re genuinely sorry to upset them.
After all, it’s best to show care and respect when texting your friends as an apology. That way, you can ensure that there are no hard feelings and you haven’t upset your friend too much.
You should review these examples to learn more about how it works:
Look, I’m sorry if my approach has caused this reaction. I’ll do better and ensure you don’t have to feel like this again.
I’m sorry if my approach has caused this. I’ll let you know if I can find a better way to handle the situation.
7. I Apologize for Any Role I Had in Your Feeling This Way
So, you can give “I apologize for any role I had in your feeling this way” a try as well.
It works best when messaging colleagues or employees. Generally, it shows you take ownership of something you did or said.
From there, you can directly apologize and show someone that you meant no harm and will try to fix things.
You should also review these message samples to learn more:
I apologize for any role I had in your feeling this way. I’ll do what I can to remedy the situation.
Of course, I apologize for any role I had in your feeling this way. It was never my intention to hurt you, after all.
8. I’m Sorry That You Disagree With Me
We also think it’s wise to write “I’m sorry that you disagree with me.” This is an effective way to let someone know you can’t see eye to eye with them.
Generally, it’s going to work best when apologizing to friends. It tells them that you’re not going to back down from your point, but you can see that they don’t agree with it.
While it’s not ideal, it’s a great way to show your friends compassion and sincerity. You can apologize for your actions, even if they don’t approve.
Here are some great message samples to show you more about how it works:
I’m sorry that you disagree with me, as I was hoping we could find common ground.
Of course, I’m sorry that you disagree with me about this. I’m trying to do what’s right and move forward with you.
9. I Hope We Can Work This Out, but I’m Sorry
Finally, you should try “I hope we can work this out, but I’m sorry.”
First, it’s a great way to share empathy with the recipient of an email. It shows you’d like to work something out, meaning you’d like to find common ground.
From there, you can use “I’m sorry.” It’s a simple yet effective apology, which goes a long way in formal writing.
Try it when contacting a client. It will let them know that you understand why they’re upset and you hope you can find a way to move forward.
Also, you can review this email sample to learn more:
Dear Mr. Parker,
I hope we can work this out, but I’m sorry nonetheless.
I’ll let you know as soon as I have an update that might be beneficial to us.
All the best,
Clara Kingsnorth