inconvenience
minor trouble or difficulty
A small problem or extra effort that makes life harder or less comfortable for someone.
[something] is an inconvenience to [someone]
- I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, but the store is closed today.
- The train delay was a huge inconvenience for commuters trying to get to work on time.
- We hope this temporary road closure will cause only a slight inconvenience to residents.
- As a thank‑you for the inconvenience, the airline offered passengers meal vouchers.
- Please contact us if this change causes you any inconvenience.
- I am sorry for the inconvenience.
- The broken elevator is an inconvenience for old people.
- The canceled class was an inconvenience for the students.
- The noise from the street is a real inconvenience for me.
- If this time is an inconvenience for you, we can meet later.
state of not being convenient
The general situation when something is not easy or comfortable and makes life harder.
the inconvenience of [doing something]
- Many people accept the inconvenience of a longer commute in order to live in a quieter area.
- He hated the inconvenience of having to travel two hours for every medical appointment.
- Despite the inconvenience of the new security checks, most passengers agreed they were necessary.
- Working nights brought the inconvenience of sleeping during the day when everyone else was awake.
- The inconvenience of living without a car is greater in rural areas than in big cities.
- We accept the inconvenience of higher prices to help the environment.
- She does not like the inconvenience of cooking every day.
- The inconvenience of living far from the city is travel time.
- They talked about the inconvenience of moving to a new school.
- He complained about the inconvenience of sharing a bathroom.
to cause someone minor trouble
To make life a little harder for someone or cause them extra trouble, usually in a polite way of speaking.
to inconvenience [someone]
- I hope this schedule change doesn’t inconvenience you too much.
- We don’t want to inconvenience our guests, so we arranged a shuttle from the airport.
- The roadworks will inconvenience drivers for the next two weeks.
- Please let us know if we have inconvenienced you in any way.
- To avoid inconveniencing customers, the repairs will be done at night.
- I hope I did not inconvenience you.
- The delay inconvenienced many people.
- We do not want to inconvenience our clients.
- Please tell me if this time inconveniences you.
- The broken bus inconvenienced all the passengers.
- Base: inconvenience
- Plural: inconvenience, inconveniences
- Base: inconvenience
- 3rd Person Singular: inconveniences
- Present Participle: inconveniencing
- Past: inconvenienced
any inconvenience this may cause
1referring to possible trouble caused
A fixed phrase used in formal writing to talk about small problems that something might create for people.
- We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.
- The bank wrote, "We regret any inconvenience this may cause" in its letter about the new fees.
- Please contact customer service regarding any inconvenience this may cause you.
apologies for the inconvenience
1brief formal regret for trouble
A short, formal way (often in signs, emails, or announcements) to say you are sorry for a small problem.
- Apologies for the inconvenience, but this website is currently down for maintenance.
- The sign read, "Apologies for the inconvenience while we carry out repairs."
- Apologies for the inconvenience caused by the noise.
cause an inconvenience
1create a minor problem for someone
To create a small problem or extra work for someone.
- We don’t want to cause an inconvenience to our neighbors.
- The late delivery caused an inconvenience for the client’s schedule.
- If this visit will cause an inconvenience, we can come another day.
I apologize for the inconvenience
1formal apology for trouble
A formal sentence used to say you are sorry because something has caused a small problem for someone.
- I apologize for the inconvenience and will make sure it does not happen again.
- The company representative said, "I apologize for the inconvenience and the delay in your order."
- I apologize for the inconvenience this error has caused you.
sorry for the inconvenience
1apologizing for minor trouble
A polite way to say you are sorry because something caused a small problem or extra effort for someone.
- Sorry for the inconvenience, but the elevator is out of service.
- The hotel wrote, "Sorry for the inconvenience" in their email about the pool closure.
- "Sorry for the inconvenience," the manager said as he offered a refund.
without undue inconvenience
1without unreasonable extra trouble
Used to say that something can or should be done without causing too much extra trouble for people.
- The work must be completed without undue inconvenience to local residents.
- We aim to carry out the repairs without undue inconvenience to passengers.
- The new rules should be applied without undue inconvenience for small businesses.