Sorry to take so long getting back to you...

Question

Hi guys,

Can anyone help me with this translation? I'd be using this in an email, at the beginning: "I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you". I was thinking "Siento tomar tanto tiempo en responderte.", but then I looked on the spanishdict dictionary and it says that when tomar is used meaning "to take (time)" it is pronomial. So would it be "Siento tomarme tanto..."? This sounds a bit strange to me. Can anyone help out?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Siento que me haya tomado tanto tiempo en responderte or Siento haber tardado tanto en responderte , I like the 2nd

I agree with Dakie's 2nd suggestion wholeheartedly. The first one is too artificial. - lazarus1907, Dec 3, 2010

Answer 2

"Siento tomar tanto tiempo en responderte."

Well... the way this sentence will be interpreted is as if you are still thinking about answering, while the original sounds like you are apologizing for something not done in the past. In any case, you still have to say "tomarme". The verb "tomar" is generally translated as "to eat/drink/take... food/liquids/buses....". "Tomar el tiempo" sounds like you steal it and keep it for yourself -it sounds a bit weird. However, "tomarse" has the meaning of making use of things like time, trust,...

Do not over-analyse. If I compiled a list of questions in English for you to answer, you'll be speechless trying to explain why so many seemingly weird things are said all the time, and why so many others that apparently make sense, sound bad. Look at Dakie's suggestions. That's how we speak.

Gracias lazarus - Dakie, Dec 3, 2010

Answer 3

Lo siento por demorar en responderte, también. Demorar will take the "tanto tiempo" and all that out because it means "to be delayed, take a long time". You could also use retrasar.

You have to say "demorarme", but Dakie's suggestion sounds more natural (he is a native). - lazarus1907, Dec 3, 2010

Hmmm. A native from Chile taught me to say it like that. - Ashlita, Dec 3, 2010