Have you accidentally been forced to give someone short notice in an email?
Well, it’s time to look into options showing you how to say sorry for the short notice without sounding repetitive or generic.
Luckily, that’s where we come in.
This article will teach you how to say sorry for the short notice in an email to help you keep things interesting.
6 Alternative Ways to Say “Sorry for the Short Notice”
Here are the 6 best synonyms to show you another way to say sorry for the short notice:
- Apologies for the late heads-up
- Regretfully, this is on short notice
- I understand this is sudden
- Please forgive the limited advance notice
- I’m aware this is late
- I apologize for the lack of warning
1. Apologies for the Late Heads-Up
To start with, you can try apologies for the late heads-up. It’s a bit of an informal choice that works quite well in certain email formats.
Try using it when contacting an employee. It shows that you’ve had to share something at short notice, but you don’t want to worry them into thinking it’s a formal or worrying situation.
We also recommend reviewing the following sample email:
Dear Jake,
Apologies for the late heads-up, but I didn’t know how else to broach this subject. Are you free for a meeting?
Best,
Sam Wallace
2. Regretfully, This Is on Short Notice
Going for a more professional synonym also works quite well. That’s where regretfully, this is on short notice comes in.
It’s another way to say sorry for the short notice. It lets the recipient know that you’re sorry the email is late or took too long to update them.
Whether you’re asking someone to your office for a meeting or giving short-notice leave, this phrase works well as an apology.
Feel free to review this sample email if you’re still unsure:
Dear Miss Ackerman,
Regretfully, this is on short notice, but I need you to come to my office. Please arrive as quickly as possible.
All the best,
Joe Tidings
3. I Understand This Is Sudden
Try using I understand this is sudden for something a bit more friendly and caring.
It shows that you appreciate you haven’t given someone a lot of time to process your email.
However, sometimes, a short-notice email can’t be avoided.
So, we recommend using this to let the recipient know you regret taking so long. It’s respectful and polite, making it a great choice when trying to sound sincere in your apology.
Here’s a great sample email to help you understand more about it:
Dear Hazel,
I understand this is sudden, but are you free on Saturday to come to the event? Matt called in sick, and we need a cover.
Yours,
Dean Bradford
4. Please Forgive the Limited Advance Notice
Please forgive the limited advance notice works well when emailing an employee.
Generally, this phrase pops up in an email asking for someone to cover a shift. It shows that you regret leaving it so late, but you can’t think of anyone else who might be able to help.
This is a great way to show that you respect and care about the recipient. It suggests that you appreciate their schedule and don’t want to put them out, but you could do with some help.
We also recommend reviewing this example:
Dear Jess,
Please forgive the limited advance notice. However, we do not have anyone else to cover Sarah’s shift. Can you help?
All the best,
Ross Johnson
5. I’m Aware This Is Late
Try writing I’m aware this is late to keep things more direct and sincere. It’s a great choice that shows you know you’ve left something until the last minute.
Using I’m aware shows that you already understand you’re asking a lot of someone.
It’s formal and polite, so it works quite well in most formal email situations.
Try using it when emailing an employee and asking them to see you for a meeting. You might need to quickly run them through something, and this phrase is a great way to do it.
Also, this email example will help you understand more about it:
Dear Carla,
I’m aware this is late, but I’d like to see you in my office. Please arrive promptly and bring the file with you.
Yours,
Dana Terraria
6. I Apologize for the Lack Of Warning
Finally, we recommend using I apologize for the lack of warning instead of sorry for the short notice.
It’s a great phrase that shows you regret leaving something until the last minute.
It’s formal and respectful. So, you’ll have a lot of success including it in your business emails.
Generally, we would use it when emailing your boss. It suggests that something important has come up, and you’ll need to meet with them quickly to discuss what it is.
If you’re still unsure, you can review this example:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I apologize for the lack of warning. However, I thought it was best that you heard this from me. So, please meet me for
lunch.
Yours,
Jacqui Redman
Is It Correct to Say “Sorry for the Short Notice”?
Sorry for the short notice is correct to use in formal email situations.
Generally, you would write this when you haven’t given someone a lot of time to process information.
For instance, you might invite someone to a meeting that’s happening on the same day you send an email.
This isn’t usually enough time for someone to prepare. However, if you can’t avoid it, you can say sorry for the short notice.
It’s respectful and professional. It’s generally a great way to apologize when you realize you’ve left something quite late.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn how to say sorry for the short notice in a business email:
Dear Damian,
Sorry for the short notice. However, I think we need to meet at lunchtime to discuss some of these changes.
Best wishes,
Dan Bradshaw
You don’t just have to use it as a standalone phrase, either. You can add more to it to sound more personal and caring.
For example:
Dear Miss Scott,
I am sorry for the short notice and inconvenience caused by this email. However, I could not see another way to move forward.
Yours,
Fred Parker
Of course, sorry for the short notice isn’t the only way to write the phrase. It’s good to use a variation that includes a different adjective to help you spice things up.
Variation: Using late instead of short
- Correct: Sorry for the late notice.
- Correct: Sorry for the short notice.
Late and short mean the same thing here. Both imply that you took a while before emailing someone, which might mean they don’t have enough time to respond appropriately.
