Help with Keigo

[Long Fong]

みんなへ

ハロー：
すみませんですか、僕はけいごについてしつもんがあるので、てつだってくださいませんか。日本語の先生にメールを書かなくては、けいごはむずはしし、全部忘れてしまったし、できません。

I asked sensei to write me a letter of recommendation, she said yes, and I was supposed to give her a form to fill out, but it is weeks later and since it turns out that I won't be able to use it, I want to apologize for having her wait without knowing what was going on. The truth as to why I can't use it is a bit embarrasing, so I will leave that out, but I think that the wonderful people here at JPNPod101 are very kind spirited and will help me, so here are my questions:

1) How do you say, "Sorry for wasting your time", or "Forgive me for being so rude"? It seems like there is a set phrase for this, but I don't know what it is. Would 申し訳ありません　be appropriate?

2) Is it inappropriate to use causative passive form when appologize, especially if the person disallowing me from doing something is a family member? I don't know if this would be rude to Japanese.

3) Is it okay to conjugate modest verbs like まいる　into potential form?


僕の英五をすみませんでした。
よろしくおねがいいたします。

ラリーより。

[Jason]

1) How do you say, "Sorry for wasting your time", or "Forgive me for being so rude"? It seems like there is a set phrase for this, but I don't know what it is. Would 申し訳ありません　be appropriate?

申し訳ありません would work beautifully here. Though you may want to make it past tesne.

2) Is it inappropriate to use causative passive form when appologize, especially if the person disallowing me from doing something is a family member? I don't know if this would be rude to Japanese.

I don't think so. I can't think of any reason it would be rude.

3) Is it okay to conjugate modest verbs like まいる　into potential form?

I don't see why not. However, I understand your feelings, but I don't think that level of keigo is really needed for a letter like this. I think a letter written in "normal" level politeness with a good 申し訳ありませんでした thrown in would be just fine.

[Long Fong]

ありがとうございます！