30 Other Ways to Say ‘sorry for wasting your time ’ (With Examples)

Finding the right words to express care and professionalism can make all the difference in your communication. Sometimes, a simple apology like “sorry for wasting your time” may come across as too blunt or even self-critical. Choosing alternatives allows you to convey accountability with warmth and respect, making your message more thoughtful and considerate. In this guide, you’ll discover 30 professional and empathetic alternatives, complete with scenarios, examples, tones, and explanations, so you can communicate with confidence and sincerity.

What Does “sorry for wasting your time ” Mean?

When someone says “sorry for wasting your time professionally,” it’s usually an attempt to acknowledge that their actions, delays, or mistakes may have caused inconvenience to another person. It is a polite recognition of the value of someone else’s time while showing responsibility.

Is It Professional/Polite to Say “sorry for wasting your time”?

Yes, it’s polite but not always the most effective phrasing. While it does communicate respect, it may sound too negative or self-deprecating in professional contexts. Using softer, more constructive language can maintain goodwill while still honoring the other person’s time.

Pros or Cons

Pros:

• Shows humility and accountability.
• Recognizes the importance of others’ time.
• Can soften situations where delays or mistakes happened.

Cons:

• May sound overly apologetic or diminish confidence.
• Sometimes too formal or repetitive in professional emails.
• Could create unnecessary tension instead of moving forward.

Synonyms For sorry for wasting your time

1. Thank you for your patience
2. I appreciate your understanding
3. Thank you for bearing with me
4. I value your time
5. I appreciate your flexibility
6. Thanks for taking the time
7. I know your time is valuable
8. I hope this wasn’t too much of an inconvenience
9. Thank you for sticking with me
10. I appreciate your time today
11. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity
12. I truly value your input
13. Thank you for staying with me
14. I appreciate your dedication
15. Thanks for being so considerate
16. I’m grateful for your cooperation
17. Thanks for being patient with the process
18. Thank you for adjusting your schedule
19. I value your presence
20. Thanks for giving this your attention
21. I appreciate your commitment
22. Thank you for being adaptable
23. I value your insights
24. Thanks for going the extra mile
25. I appreciate your continued support
26. Thank you for giving me your time today
27. Thanks for making room for this discussion
28. I appreciate your generosity of time
29. Thank you for working through this with me
30. I truly value your consideration

1. Thank you for your patience

Scenario: When a client waited during a delayed meeting.

Examples:

• “Thank you for your patience as we finalized the details.”
• “I really appreciate your patience while I gathered everything you needed.”
• “Thank you for waiting, it means a lot.”

Tone: Warm and appreciative.
Explanation: This replaces apology with gratitude, making the other person feel respected.

2. I appreciate your understanding

Scenario: When technical issues cause delays.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your understanding while we resolved the issue.”
• “Thank you so much for being understanding about this delay.”
• “I’m grateful for your understanding as we adjust timelines.”

Tone: Respectful and gracious.
Explanation: Shifts focus from the mistake to their generosity.

3. Thank you for bearing with me

Scenario: After explaining something that took longer than expected.

Examples:

• “Thank you for bearing with me while I went over the details.”
• “I appreciate you bearing with me through that explanation.”
• “Thanks for sticking with me as I clarified that.”

Tone: Friendly yet professional.
Explanation: Acknowledges their patience in a positive, human way.

4. I value your time

Scenario: When a meeting or discussion runs long.

Examples:

• “I value your time, and I appreciate your attention to this.”
• “Your time is valuable, and I appreciate you sharing it with me.”
• “Thanks for giving me your time—it matters.”

Tone: Respectful and affirming.
Explanation: Shows recognition of importance without dwelling on the delay.

5. I appreciate your flexibility

Scenario: When rescheduling or changing plans.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your flexibility with the meeting chang.”
• “Thanks for being flexible as we adjusted the agenda.”
• “Your flexibility made things easier—thank you.”

Tone: Polite and thankful.
Explanation: Highlights adaptability instead of inconvenience.

6. Thanks for taking the time

Scenario: When someone reviewed or listened longer than expected.

Examples:

• “Thanks for taking the time to go through this with me.”
• “I appreciate you taking extra time for this discussion.”
• “Thanks again for investing your time here.”

Tone: Grateful and positive.
Explanation: Appreciates effort while removing negative tone.

7. I know your time is valuable

Scenario: When you extended a call beyond the schedule.

Examples:

• “I know your time is valuable, thank you for staying with me.”
• “I respect the time you’ve given today.”
• “Thanks for allowing me a few extra minutes of your valuable time.”

Tone: Courteous and respectful.
Explanation: Acknowledges their worth without making it self-critical.

8. I hope this wasn’t too much of an inconvenience

Scenario: When causing small, unplanned delays.

Examples:

• “I hope this wasn’t too much of an inconvenience.”
• “Thanks for adjusting, I hope it didn’t cause disruption.”
• “I hope my delay wasn’t inconvenient for you.”

Tone: Soft and considerate.
Explanation: Polite while acknowledging possible disruption.

9. Thank you for sticking with me

Scenario: After explaining complex details.

Examples:

• “Thank you for sticking with me through all that information.”
• “I appreciate you staying engaged—it means a lot.”
• “Thanks for following along, I know it was a lot.”

Tone: Warm and human.
Explanation: Adds a touch of empathy and kindness.

10. I appreciate your time today

Scenario: Wrapping up after a long session.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your time today, thank you for joining.”
• “Your time and input mean a lot.”
• “Thanks for dedicating time to this.”

Tone: Appreciative and formal.
Explanation: Keeps it professional and polished.

11. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity

Scenario: When someone gave you a chance to present, even if it ran long.

Examples:

• “Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share these updates.”
• “I appreciate the opportunity, even though it took longer than expected.”
• “Thank you for letting me walk through the details.”

Tone: Grateful and professional.
Explanation: A respectful phrase that frames the situation as an opportunity, not a mistake.

12. I truly value your input

Scenario: After a lengthy discussion where feedback was provided.

Examples:

• “I truly value your input, thank you for sharing your thoughts.”
• “Your perspective is valuable, and I appreciate it.”
• “Thanks for giving me your honest input—it means a lot.”

Tone: Respectful and collaborative.
Explanation: Moves away from apology to highlighting the worth of the other person’s contribution.

13. Thank you for staying with me

Scenario: During long project updates or training.

Examples:

• “Thank you for staying with me throughout the session.”
• “I appreciate your time and focus on this.”
• “Thanks for staying engaged even though it was lengthy.”

Tone: Warm and appreciative.
Explanation: Keeps the tone light and thankful while acknowledging their effort.

14. I appreciate your dedication

Scenario: When someone continued to support despite delays.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your dedication to seeing this through.”
• “Your dedication means a lot, thank you.”
• “I’m grateful for your commitment to this project.”

Tone: Professional and affirming.
Explanation: Praises dedication instead of focusing on lost time.

15. Thanks for being so considerate

Scenario: When someone adjusted their time or schedule for you.

Examples:

• “Thanks for being so considerate with your schedule.”
• “Your consideration doesn’t go unnoticed—thank you.”
• “I appreciate your thoughtfulness in accommodating me.”

Tone: Kind and respectful.
Explanation: Highlights their kindness rather than your fault.

16. I’m grateful for your cooperation

Scenario: When a delay required teamwork.

Examples:

• “I’m grateful for your cooperation while we worked this out.”
• “Thanks for your cooperation as we made adjustments.”
• “Your cooperation helped smooth things over.”

Tone: Collaborative and polite.
Explanation: Turns the apology into recognition of teamwork.

17. Thanks for being patient with the process

Scenario: When a project dragged on longer than expected.

Examples:

• “Thanks for being patient with the process, I know it’s been lengthy.”
• “I appreciate your patience as we finalize everything.”
• “Your patience throughout this process means a lot.”

Tone: Understanding and empathetic.
Explanation: Acknowledges delays while reinforcing positivity.

18. Thank you for adjusting your schedule

Scenario: When someone rescheduled to accommodate you.

Examples:

• “Thank you for adjusting your schedule to make this possible.”
• “I appreciate the effort you made to fit this in.”
• “Thanks for rearranging your time to meet.”

Tone: Direct and grateful.
Explanation: Clearly respects the effort they made.

19. I value your presence

Scenario: In meetings or collaborative discussions.

Examples:

• “I value your presence and your insights today.”
• “Your presence added great value, thank you.”
• “Thanks for being here—it means a lot.”

Tone: Respectful and affirming.
Explanation: Centers appreciation instead of apology.

20. Thanks for giving this your attention

Scenario: After discussing a matter that took longer than expected.

Examples:

• “Thanks for giving this your attention, I know it was detailed.”
• “Your attention to this matter is truly appreciated.”
• “Thanks for focusing on this with me.”

Tone: Polite and professional.
Explanation: Focuses on attentiveness, not lost time.

21. I appreciate your commitment

Scenario: When a colleague stayed late to finish tasks with you.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your commitment to this project.”
• “Thanks for staying committed despite the challenges.”
• “Your commitment shows how much you care.”

Tone: Formal and affirming.
Explanation: Turns delay into acknowledgment of loyalty.

22. Thank you for being adaptable

Scenario: When plans had to shift last minute.

Examples:

• “Thank you for being adaptable as things changed.”
• “Your adaptability helped us move forward smoothly.”
• “Thanks for adjusting without hesitation.”

Tone: Respectful and thankful.
Explanation: Focuses on flexibility as a strength.

23. I value your insights

Scenario: After a meeting stretched because of deep discussions.

Examples:

• “I value your insights, thank you for sharing them.”
• “Your insights are valuable, and I appreciate the time you gave.”
• “Thanks for your thoughtful contributions today.”

Tone: Professional and affirming.
Explanation: Validates their participation rather than apologizing.

24. Thanks for going the extra mile

Scenario: When someone supported you beyond expectations.

Examples:

• “Thanks for going the extra mile to get this done.”
• “I appreciate the extra effort you gave.”
• “Your dedication to going above and beyond doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Tone: Encouraging and appreciative.
Explanation: Celebrates effort instead of focusing on delay.

25. I appreciate your continued support

Scenario: When repeated meetings or follow-ups were required.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your continued support through this process.”
• “Thanks for sticking by this project.”
• “Your ongoing support has made a huge difference.”

Tone: Supportive and positive.
Explanation: Reinforces partnership and loyalty.

26. Thank you for giving me your time today

Scenario: Wrapping up an unexpectedly long conversation.

Examples:

• “Thank you for giving me your time today—it means a lot.”
• “I appreciate you making space for this discussion.”
• “Thanks for dedicating time to this.”

Tone: Polished and sincere.
Explanation: Formal yet warm, suitable for professional emails.

27. Thanks for making room for this discussion

Scenario: When someone fit you into their busy schedule.

Examples:

• “Thanks for making room for this discussion today.”
• “I appreciate you carving out time for this.”
• “Your willingness to make room means a lot.”

Tone: Warm and respectful.
Explanation: Acknowledges effort without apology.

28. I appreciate your generosity of time

Scenario: When someone spent more time than expected helping you.

Examples:

• “I appreciate your generosity of time in guiding me through this.”
• “Thanks for being so generous with your time.”
• “Your time generosity really helped me today.”

Tone: Polite and grateful.
Explanation: Frames their patience as generosity, not obligation.

29. Thank you for working through this with me

Scenario: When a tough or detailed task took longer than planned.

Examples:

• “Thank you for working through this with me.”
• “I appreciate your willingness to stick with me until it was done.”
• “Thanks for partnering with me on this process.”

Tone: Collaborative and warm.
Explanation: Focuses on shared effort rather than lost time.

30. I truly value your consideration

Scenario: When someone listened patiently despite a delay.

Examples:

• “I truly value your consideration, thank you for your time.”
• “Thanks for being considerate as I explained everything.”
• “Your consideration means more than I can say.”

Tone: Thoughtful and respectful.
Explanation: Leaves a lasting impression of gratitude.

Conclusion

Apologies are powerful, but in professional settings, gratitude often speaks louder. Instead of saying “sorry for wasting your time,” you can use these 30 thoughtful alternatives to show respect, appreciation, and professionalism. The shift from apology to acknowledgment ensures that your communication feels empathetic, warm, and forward-focused.