0
Seagull Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

sorry for taking time

(a) I'm sorry for not having introduced myself until now.
(b) I'm sorry for taking time to introduce myself.
(c) I'm sorry for taking time in introducing myself.

How do these three sentences sound to native speakers? Do they sound strange? Besides, is there any better way to express this?
  

Top answer

(a) sounds fine. (b) is OK too, though perhaps "taking so long" would be more common than "taking time". In fact, (b) is potentially ambiguous, and could refer to a lengthy self-introduction rather than a delay.

— GPY

  • (a) sounds fine.
  • (b) is OK too, though perhaps "taking so long" would be more common than "taking time".
  • In fact, (b) is potentially ambiguous, and could refer to a lengthy self-introduction rather than a delay.
  • However, in a real-life situation, the context would make it clear which was intended.
  • There is actually even a third interpretation, in which "taking time" means something more like "bothering", but this is unlikely to be meant (and would probably require the statement to be ironic).
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
(a) sounds fine. (b) is OK too, though perhaps "taking so long" would be more common than "taking time". In fact, (b) is potentially ambiguous, and could refer to a lengthy self-introduction rather than a delay. However, in a real-life situation, the context would make it clear which was intended. There is actually even a third interpretation, in which "taking time" means something more like "both
0
0
I understand.
Thank your so much indeed, GPY. I appreciate your comment.
0

Related Questions