Learning About Apology Languages Will Make Your "Sorry" Actually Stick

By accepting responsibility, you're verbally accepting fault for hurting the other person. "This apology language includes acknowledgment of their responsibility for their behavior and not making any excuses for it," Cook-McKay says. Owning your actions as hurtful is key with this one.

Accepting responsibility examples:

• "I'm so sorry I spilled my drink on your shirt. I need to be more careful next time."
• "I take full responsibility for what I said last night. There's no excuse and I'm sorry."
• "It was my fault we were late to the show."