Apologize For Missing an Appointment • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Guides

Whether you have missed an appointment, or will miss an appointment in the future, a note to the party with whom you were to meet, explaining why you had to miss or will have to miss your appointment, is a courtesy that will be appreciated. It shows that you do take the relationship seriously. Be concise and polite.

How to write this appointment letter:

  1. Tell the reader why you missed or will miss the appointment, giving only the necessary details.
  2. Suggest or ask for a course of action to make up for your absence.

Example Letter #1

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I know we are scheduled to see the next football game together, but my mother is coming for a visit the same weekend so I will have to cancel this time.

I do look forward to the homecoming game with you the following week.

Example Letter #2

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This morning I received notice that my travel itinerary has been changed and I will therefore not be here to attend the next monthly staff meeting. Instead of returning Friday, the first of October, I will not get back until the following Monday.

In my absence, my administrative assistant, John Doe, will distribute copies of my sales report to each attendee at the meeting. I look forward to joining all of you at the November meeting.

Example Letter #3

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Due to conflicting schedules I will not be able to attend the safety meeting planned for this Thursday. Much as I would like to I cannot be in both Springfield and Centerville at the same time. Please take careful notes. I would like to review them, perhaps over lunch on Friday.

Example Letter #4

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Please accept my sincere apology for missing our lunch date yesterday. In the middle of the rush to meet our printing deadline, I overlooked our appointment. Could we make another date for next week? I enjoy our time together and it gives me a much-needed break from the stress here at the office. Let's meet at Doe's Cafe at noon next Wednesday; it will be my treat.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 Tell the reader why you missed or will miss the appointment, giving only the necessary details.

Sample Sentences for Step 1
  • Because I was double scheduled yesterday afternoon, I had to miss our appointment. I am very sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused you.
  • I will not be able to make our meeting tomorrow at 1:00. This morning, the CEO asked me to fly to Denver to meet with him, and I won't be back until Thursday.
  • I am sorry I wasn't able to make it to the board meeting last week. Of all places, I was in the hospital.
  • While reviewing my notes from last week's team meeting, I noticed that I was supposed to meet with you this morning in Room 154. In the rush of getting orders out, I simply forgot.
  • For the last two weeks in May, I will be touring our European facilities, and will therefore not be in attendance at the shareholders' meeting.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
  • a sudden emergency
  • am afraid that I forgot
  • circumstances beyond my control
  • completely slipped my mind
  • have been double-booked
  • have to miss our appointment
  • missed our appointment
  • must apologize for
  • running behind schedule
  • sorry for the inconvenience
  • sorry I wasn't able to make it
  • was unfortunately delayed
  • was supposed to meet with you
  • will be unable to keep our appointment
  • will be out of town
  • will therefore not be in attendance
  • will be unable to
  • will not be able to
  • won't be available until
  • won't be back until

2 Suggest or ask for a course of action to make up for your absence.

Sample Sentences for Step 2
  • If you would still like to meet, I am available tomorrow at 10:00 or 3:00. Give me a call and we can arrange something.
  • If possible, I would like to have a copy of the minutes of the April 13 meeting, so I can keep myself abreast of project developments.
  • Is there a time next week when we could meet together? Please give me a call and we will work something out. Thursdays are generally good for me.
  • I was wondering if I could send somebody from my team to represent me? If such an arrangement would be satisfactory, please call and I will ask someone to fill in for me.
  • If you could reserve conference room #2, I could call from Germany and participate in the discussion on the speaker phone. I will be leaving Friday, so please let me know as soon as possible whether this would be an acceptable arrangement.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
  • could send a representative
  • first possible time will be
  • if you would still like to meet
  • let's reschedule for
  • please give me a call
  • please let me know
  • schedule is booked up until
  • the next convenient time for you
  • what I can do to
  • will arrange something then
  • will be happy to
  • will be available on
  • will be free on
  • will work something out
  • will be more than willing to
  • won't be free again until
  • would this arrangement be satisfactory for you
  • would you be able to
  • would it be possible to
  • would this be a good time for you
  • would like to receive a copy of

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