apologize的意思是因做事不周或不当而表示歉意。可指提出掩饰性的情况,以免见怪;也可指坦率承认错误,以作弥补。
apologize通常用作不及物动词,表示“向某人道歉”,接to sb; 表示“因某事道歉”,接for sth; 表示“因某事向某人道歉”,则接to sb for sth。
apologize也可接that从句,这时用作及物动词,意思是“道歉说…”。apologize还可引出直接引语。
apologize在英式英语中也常写作apologise。
如:
John had to apologize and explain himself several times.
The bishop who denied the full extent of the Nazi Holocaust has apologized to the Pope.
这位否认纳粹大屠杀的程度的主教已经向罗马教皇认错.