〜てすみません: meaning and usage

How to form it

• verb (te-form)+すみません
• verb (nai-form without ない)+なくて+すみません

How it is used

Apologises for something you did (or didn't do): 'sorry for A'. It can also carry thanks, as in 「来てもらってすみません」 (sorry to make you come). More formal: 「〜て申し訳ありません」.

Examples

1. 遅刻してすみません

   Sorry for being late.

2. 返事が遅くなってすみません。

   Sorry for the late reply.

3. 昨日は電話に出られなくて、すみませんでした。

   Sorry I couldn't answer your call yesterday.