A half apology is a little like half a balloon. It takes effort, but it doesn’t have much utility.

Seth, as usual, nails it. 

The opportunity for an apology is just that–an opportunity to demonstrate to the person you care about that you see them, understand them, and are concerned enough to extend yourself.

This is something I think many, including myself, struggle with. I’m working on getting better at my apologies and making sure when I say them that they’re meaningful. See also, it does no good to force apologies from others.