He sends his apologies

Question

Found in a dictionary:"Edward can't be here today, but he sends his apologies."I'm not sure as to how to make sense of the second half. What exactly does it say about the sending of his apologies? It does appear to say he has already contacted someone at the place (by email, phone, etc.) and made apologies. If so, can I say, "he has sent his apologies" or "he sent his apologies" instead?becky

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becky typed thus:
[nq:1]Found in a dictionary: "Edward can't be here today, but he sends his apologies." I'm not sure as to how ... etc.) and made apologies. If so, can I say, "he has sent his apologies" or "he sent his apologies" instead?[/nq]
The apologies are being delivered by whoever says that sentence. It's a conventional format. Edward has asked somebody: "Please take my apologies to the meeting". It is by the uttering of the words "Edward sends his apologies" that the apologies are delivered. It's as though the apologies were tangible - as if Edward had sent some biscuits.

David
==

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[nq:1]Found in a dictionary: "Edward can't be here today, but he sends his apologies." I'm not sure as to how ... etc.) and made apologies. If so, can I say, "he has sent his apologies" or "he sent his apologies" instead?[/nq]
Usually, the statement is made by the person that invited Edward. It indicates that Edward declined the invitation, but expressed his regrets for doing so to the person that extended the invitation.

It's not a statement that one should take literally. Edward either had a schedule conflict, didn't think the event was worth his time attending, or laughed in the face of the person inviting him. In any case, the person making the statement is putting a polite spin on Edward's non-appearance.
It's similar to a speaker saying "We are delighted to have Edward as our principal speaker." That statement can indicate anything from genuine delight to the polite glossing over of Edward being the fifth choice made out of desperation just to have someone at the podium.

Usenet · Answer

He didn't actually send his apologies, because apologies are..hmm.. immaterial.

Replace "apologies" with "love" and you will understand what I mean.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]He didn't actually send his apologies, because apologies are..hmm.. immaterial. Replace "apologies" with "love" and you will understand what I mean.[/nq]
I think both you and Tony are being too cynical. Consider:
1) Edward can't be here today because he's very busy
2) Edward can't be here today, but he sends his apologies

I see no reason why Edward might not have sent genuine apologies. Do you want him to write a note?

Rob Bannister

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[nq:1]becky typed thus:[/nq]
[nq:2]Found in a dictionary: "Edward can't be here today, but ... has sent his apologies" or "he sent his apologies" instead?[/nq]
[nq:1]The apologies are being delivered by whoever says that sentence. It's a conventional format. Edward has asked somebody: "Please take ... that the apologies are delivered. It's as though the apologies were tangible - as if Edward had sent some biscuits.[/nq]
I'd rather have biscuits than apologies any day.

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Me neither. Sorry for the double entendu . When I said "immaterial" I meant that the apologies cannot be packed in a container and sent.
[nq:1]Do you want him to write a note?[/nq]
I don't really care. Anyway, I accepted his apologies.

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[nq:2]He didn't actually send his apologies, because apologies are..hmm.. immaterial. Replace "apologies" with "love" and you will understand what I mean.[/nq]
[nq:1]I think both you and Tony are being too cynical. Consider: 1) Edward can't be here today because he's very ... I see no reason why Edward might not have sent genuine apologies. Do you want him to write a note?[/nq]
"Usually, the statement is made by the person that invited Edward. It indicates that Edward declined the invitation, but expressed his regrets for doing so to the person that extended the invitation.

It's not a statement that one should take literally. Edward either had a schedule conflict, didn't think the event was worth his time attending, or laughed in the face of the person inviting him. In any case, the person making the statement is putting a polite spin on Edward's non-appearance."
My first paragraph allows for Edward declining and expressing his regrets. My second paragraph considers a scheduling conflict. My second paragraph also considers that there is no regret involved, but that's just one of three very realistic reasons for Edward not to be there.
My point was not that Edward was apologetic or non-apologetic. It was that the speaker will almost always present the non-appearance as regretful regardless of Edward's reasons. It is the speaker, not Edward, that shouldn't be taken literally.
If I am cynical in this, chalk it off to (a) attending a lot of meetings, and/or (b) running a lot of meetings. I freely admit to leaving sincerity in the coat room when running meetings. I can't count the number of times that I've said something like "Thanks, Jim, for a truly interesting and informative presentation. I don't think anyone here was at all put off by the fact that you mistakenly brought your vacation slides instead of the product pictures. We've all learned a great deal about the medical applications of lasers, and a great deal about Yosemite National Park."

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[nq:1]Me neither. Sorry for the double entendu . When I said "immaterial" I meant that the apologies cannot be packed in a container and sent.[/nq]
[nq:2]Do you want him to write a note?[/nq]
[nq:1]I don't really care. Anyway, I accepted his apologies.[/nq]
Perhaps I need to send my apologies(?) Sorry I can't email biscuits.

I must say I did take your 'immaterial' the wrong way and I felt, despite Tony's protests, that the general tenor of his argument was that the apology was likely to be insincere. One of the reasons I retired early was to escape the increasing number of (often pointless) meetings, and I do agree that many insincere comments and apologies are made, but getting back to Becky's question, I would say that the original statement has to be taken as a genuine apology even if it's not.

Rob Bannister

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[nq:1] One of the reasons I retired early was to escape the increasing number of (often pointless) meetings, [/nq]
For me, they were what made me delay retirement. You see, the more meetings were called, the less time I had to spend actually doing work. Meetings provided a great opportunity for some relaxation for some shut-eye, even. They made life easier. More boring, but easier.

Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Found in a dictionary: "Edward can't be here today, but he sends his apologies." I'm not sure as to how ... etc.) and made apologies. If so, can I say, "he has sent his apologies" or "he sent his apologies" instead?[/nq]
Think of it in the same sense as "... do not send to ask for whom the bell tolls ...". A man-servant would have been "sent" in both cases.

dg

He sends his apologies

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