Meaning
The て-form names the reason for an apology or thanks: 遅れてすみません (sorry for being late). Negative: 連絡しなくてすみません.
Formation
- Vて + すみません（でした）: 遅れてすみません
- Negative: Vなくて + すみません: 連絡しなくてすみません
- Thanks for someone's action: てくれて／てくださって + ありがとう（ございます）
When to use it
- Core use
- Sorry for … / Thank you for …
Example
約束の時間に遅れてすみません
Sorry for being late for our appointment.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.