Most apologies — 'I'm sorry you feel that way' or 'I'm sorry but you also...' — undermine relationships more than they repair them. Better apology structure improves all relationships measurably and is one of the most teachable adult skills.
Bad apologies that damage further
'I'm sorry you took it that way' (blames the other person). 'I'm sorry but [explanation]' (defensiveness disguised as apology). 'I said sorry, what more do you want' (combative). 'I'm sorry if I hurt you' (conditional, suggests they shouldn't be hurt). 'I didn't mean it' (motive defence; misses the impact).
The structure that works
Name the specific action you're apologising for. Acknowledge the impact. Take responsibility without excuse. State what you'll do differently. Example: 'I interrupted you in the meeting. I made it harder for you to make your point. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful about that.'
Real apologies cost less in the moment than they feel and produce more durable repair than the defensive versions. Skill that pays off across all relationships.