GRAMMAR DETAIL

こととて

given the circumstances

Formally presents a special circumstance as a reason and asks the listener for understanding or allowance.

Examples

初めての任務のこととて、不慣れな点はご容赦ください。

As this is my first assignment, please excuse any areas in which I am still inexperienced.

急なお願いのこととて、無理は言えない。

Since this is a sudden request, I cannot ask for too much.

入社したばかりのこととて、至らぬ点はお許しください。

As I have only just joined the company, please forgive any shortcomings.

Structure: Attach こととて to an explanation of circumstances to seek consideration in a formal, old-fashioned register. After a noun, use のこととて.
Basic usage: 初めての任務のこととて、不慣れな点はご容赦ください。 asks for understanding of one's inexperience because this is a first assignment.

Seeking understanding versus exercising restraint
- 急なお願いのこととて、無理は言えない expresses one's own judgment that a last-minute request leaves no room for unreasonable demands. It need not end with a request for the other person's forgiveness.