Better late than never...

So...you were a bit late with your task/report/paperwork/response. What can you do about it?

Well, first make sure that it's the only or the last time that happens. But also, don't forget to apologize!

❌❌❌ I'm sorry for late.

✅ I'm sorry for being late.
✅ I'm sorry I'm late with this task.
✅ I'm sorry for not getting back to you earlier.
✅ Apologies for the late submission.
✅ I'm really sorry for the delay.
✅ I apologize for missing the deadline.
✅ I apologize, that won't happen again.
✅ My bad (informal), that won't happen again.
✅ Seems I'm a bit late, sorry about that.(informal)

Know you will probably miss the deadline?

🚀 I'm afraid I'll have to submit it a bit later.
🚀 I apologize, I'll have to get back to you with this tomorrow.

Have you arrived somewhere late?

❌❌❌ I'm sorry for late.

✅ I'm sorry I'm late.
✅ Apologies.
✅ I'm terribly sorry for being late.
✅ My bad. (informal)

Know you're going to be late?

🚀 I'm sorry, I'll be 5 minutes late.
🚀 I apologize, I'm going to be 5 mins late.
🚀 Sorry, I'm running late, will be there in 10.
🚀 I'm running late. Shall we start at 9:30?
🚀 I'm running late for today's meeting, hopefully by only five minutes. So sorry, my apologies.
🚀 Got dragged into a meeting. Be done in five. Will find you as soon as I finish.
🚀 We've run into a bit of traffic. It looks like we'll be at your office about five minutes later than scheduled. Apologies.