True apologisers rarely make excuses; they accept responsibility and learn from their mistakes.

I must apologise to my colleagues for the mistake I made in the report.

As the apologiser stood before the committee, she rehearsed each sentence carefully to convey genuine remorse.

She apologises to her colleagues after missing the deadline.

She apologised for missing the deadline, explaining that an unexpected illness had prevented her from finishing the work.

She avoided apologising for the mistake, although she knew it was her fault.