英文道歉信寫作要點
工作或生活中，我們經常會遇到突然有事要找同事或朋友幫忙，但是他們卻碰巧有事，無法提供幫助，甚至根本聯系不到。當然，也有可能正好相反，你的同事或朋友找你有事，你卻因為種種原因“辜負”了他們的期望。這時，一份英文"道歉"郵件（“遲來的道歉”）就必不可少了。
英文"道歉"郵件的寫法也比較有規律，一般英文"道歉"郵件開頭段就要開門見山地表達歉意。英文"道歉"郵件第二段具體說明自己沒能及時提供幫助的原因，也可以適當地詢問對方的問題怎么樣了，以及自己現在還能做什么等。英文"道歉"郵件第三段則是再次道歉，以示真誠。
下面有兩封信，第一封英文"道歉"郵件是John寫給他的同事Marianne的求助信，主要是詢問她有沒有讀過關于臺灣和中國內地文化差異的文獻或相關作品等，他做演講時需要。但是Marianne卻由于私事沒能及時回信，因此她事后特地寫了一封道歉信，也就是后文的第二封英文"道歉"郵件。信中，Marianne多次進行了真誠的道歉，并解釋了原因——她的女兒生病了，需要照顧。加之本已繁忙的工作， Marianne就難有閑暇了。
1. reach sb. by phone：通過電話聯系某人，即打電話給某人。這個表達比call sb.正式。
2. literature 指的是某一科目的文獻資料，不能理解為“文學”。
3. do a short presentation：做一次簡短的演講。其實presentation的精確含義和“演講”還是有區別的，尤指那種一邊放PPT(幻燈片) 一邊給一群人講解一個主題或一個項目等。
Email from John Gu to Marianne
Dear Marianne,
How have you been? I was trying to reach you by phone1) earlier today but you were not home.
A quick question for you: have you en coun tered any literature2)/writing on differences, cul tur al or otherwise, between Taiwan and Main land China that you can share with me or refer me to?
I am going to our head office in Arizona next week and I will be asked to do a short presentation3) on the topic.
John Gu
Email Response from Marianne to John Gu
Dear John,
I am so sorry that I did not respond to your email or voice mail regarding this request. I did not know any immediate resources, but I had every intention of4) contacting you and brainstorming5) with you.
Courtney, my daughter, was sick and I have taken on6) a bit too much between work and the children’s holiday activities. I am so sorry that I just did not respond to you.
I hope your presentation in Arizona went well. Let me know when you have a free moment how the trip went.
Sorry again for my dropping the ball 7)— especially for someone who is always right there to help me out!
Warmest Regards,
Marianne
4. have an intention of doing sth.：有做某事的念頭，就是愿意做某事的意思。句中加every修飾表示強調，即非常愿意。
5. brainstorm：這個詞前兩年在中國很流行，直譯為“頭腦風暴”，很形象。句中作動詞用，意思就是想辦法、思考、討論等。
6. take on：字面意思就是把某物拿起來，引申為承擔，后接a bit too much表示承擔了過多的事情，背負了過重的責任等。
7. drop the ball：很形象的表達，比賽中對方打過來一個球，而你沒有接住，文中 Marianne借此表達自己沒有幫到John的忙。
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