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Kaaskop Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Formal excuse letter
I'm working for a Dutch company where we sometimes have to answer our clients in English.
Now, at the moment I differ from opinion with a colleague about the following sentence:
We apologise for the inconvenience that this may have caused to you.
or
We apologise for the inconvenience that this may have caused you.
Is it '...caused to you.' or '...caused you.'?
If I google it, I can't find an answer. Anybody knows which one is the preferred way of spelling and why?
Now, at the moment I differ from opinion with a colleague about the following sentence:
We apologise for the inconvenience that this may have caused to you.
or
We apologise for the inconvenience that this may have caused you.
Is it '...caused to you.' or '...caused you.'?
If I google it, I can't find an answer. Anybody knows which one is the preferred way of spelling and why?
Top answer
" However, in the case you present, it clearly sounds better to omit it.
- " However, in the case you present, it clearly sounds better to omit it.
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2 Answers
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The indirect object may optionally be introduced with the preposition "to." However, in the case you present, it clearly sounds better to omit it.
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Yes, drop the "to." Also, two minor points: (l) American clients would appreciate "apologiZe" (2) I THINK (!) "ANY inconvenience that this may have caused you" = We do not know whether you suffered, but we apologize, if you did; "THE inconvenience that this CAUSED you" = we acknowledge that you suffered, and we apologize.
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