English grammar
Apologising: I never meant to / for it to…, I'm so sorry you had to…, I deeply regret + -ing
Apologise sincerely for something that upset someone.
From the scene I never meant to
In short
Apologise with I never meant to…, I'm so sorry you had to…, or, more formally, I deeply regret + -ing.
Your turn
Which one goes with sorry about the other person's experience?
Options: I deeply regret upsetting you · I'm so sorry you had to find out like this · I never meant for it to come out like this
Show answer
sorry about the other person's experience → I'm so sorry you had to find out like this
How it works
I never meant to + verb (offend you) or I never meant for + object + to (for it to come out like this) says it wasn't your intention.
Good to know
I'm so sorry (that) you had to find out like this regrets the other person's experience.
Good to know
I deeply regret + -ing is formal (regret to + verb is for bad news: we regret to inform you).
it wasn't my intention (+ object) I never meant for it to come out like this
Elena
Ramón, I never meant for it to come out like this.
Ramón, no era mi intención que saliera así.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ramón, (blank).
Options: I deeply regret upsetting you · I never meant for it to come out like this · I'm so sorry you had to find out like this
Show answer
Elena
Ramón, I never meant for it to come out like this.
Ramón, no era mi intención que saliera así.
sorry about the other person's experience I'm so sorry you had to find out like this
Elena
I'm so sorry you had to find out like this. Truly.
Siento mucho que se haya enterado así. De verdad.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Truly.
Options: I never meant for it to come out like this · I deeply regret upsetting you · I'm so sorry you had to find out like this
Show answer
Elena
I'm so sorry you had to find out like this. Truly.
Siento mucho que se haya enterado así. De verdad.
a formal apology + -ing I deeply regret upsetting you
Elena
You're right. I deeply regret upsetting you.
Tiene razón. Lamento que le haya molestado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You're right. (blank).
Options: I'm so sorry you had to find out like this · I deeply regret upsetting you · I never meant for it to come out like this
Show answer
Elena
You're right. I deeply regret upsetting you.
Tiene razón. Lamento que le haya molestado.
it wasn't my intention (same subject) I never meant to offend you
Elena
I never meant to offend you, Ramón. It's an affectionate chapter.
No era mi intención ofenderle, Ramón. Es un capítulo cariñoso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Ramón. It's an affectionate chapter.
Options: I'm so sorry you had to find out like this · I never meant to offend you · I never meant for it to come out like this
Show answer
Elena
I never meant to offend you, Ramón. It's an affectionate chapter.
No era mi intención ofenderle, Ramón. Es un capítulo cariñoso.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it wasn't my intention (+ object) | I never meant for it to come out like this |
|---|---|
| sorry about the other person's experience | I'm so sorry you had to find out like this |
| a formal apology + -ing | I deeply regret upsetting you |
| it wasn't my intention (same subject) | I never meant to offend you |
More lines from the story
- RamónSleepwalking, in pyjamas, signing autographs! How embarrassing!¡Sonámbulo, en pijama, firmando autógrafos! ¡Qué vergüenza!
- Nuria"We want more chapters about Don Ramón!""¡Queremos más capítulos de Don Ramón!"