工作或生活中，我们经常会遇到突然有事要找同事或朋友帮忙，但是他们却碰巧有事，无法提供帮助，甚至根本联系不到。当然，也有可能正好相反，你的同事或朋友找你有事，你却因为种种原因“辜负”了他们的期望。这时，一份“迟来的道歉”就必不可少了。

此类信件的写法也比较有规律，一般开头段就要开门见山地表达歉意。第二段具体说明自己没能及时提供帮助的原因，也可以适当地询问对方的问题怎么样了，以及自己现在还能做什么等。第三段则是再次道歉，以示真诚。

下面有两封信，第一封是John写给他的同事Marianne的求助信，主要是询问她有没有读过关于台湾和中国内地文化差异的文献或相关作品等，他做演讲时需要。但是Marianne却由于私事没能及时回信，因此她事后特地写了一封道歉信，也就是后文的第二封信。信中，Marianne多次进行了真诚的道歉，并解释了原因——她的女儿生病了，需要照顾。加之本已繁忙的工作，Marianne就难有闲暇了。

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 encountered any literature2)/writing on differences, cultural or otherwise, between Taiwan and Mainland 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 'tropping the ball7)?— especially for someone who is always right there to help me out!

Warmest Regards,

Marianne