I grieve that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I grieve that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing sorrow or regret about a specific situation or event. Example: "I grieve that we lost such a talented artist too soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I grieve that grief can teach me nothing, nor carry me one step into real nature.

The New Yorker

His lyrical themes ranged from Soviet prison life and internal exile ("Only the final judgment could be worse") and Soviet official hypocrisy ("I grieve that honour has been put to rout, that backbiting has been deified") to the exigencies of Russian daily life (crowded living quarters, long food lines, unfair privileges of the elite).

Encyclopedia Britannica

I grieve that countless lives have been taken in the Iraq war, not for national security, but for hubris and deceit.

The New York Times

Alas, funding for the Super Collider was cancelled in 1983, but even though I grieve that we physicists had failed to convince Congress, I'm at least proud that my book made it into McEwan's canon.

The Guardian - Books

Earlier in the day, he had lectured the Society of Professional Journalists on America's divided culture ("I grieve that NASCAR people never go to the lesbians' tea-houses, and the lesbians never go to NASCAR") and outlined his policies on education.

The New Yorker

I watch myself miss it, and later I grieve that I didn't respond differently.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I grieved that life for a long time.

Vice

I grieved that I was his mother and had not given him the safest environment to grow inside me and still could not protect him now that he was outside of my body.

Huffington Post

"It's necessary to grieve that".

The New York Times - Sports

It is the "sweetmeat of a heart / you thought would never grieve" that preoccupies Mr Burnside and it is such longing and grieving that make his poems seem so tantalisingly fragile.

The Economist

Another reason may be that I don't, properly speaking, have a past that is available to me, a past I can enter and consider; and I grieve for that lack".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your audience. While grammatically correct, "I grieve that" may sound overly formal or archaic in casual conversation. Consider using alternative phrases like "I'm saddened that" in less formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "I grieve that" in everyday situations or when expressing mild disappointment. Its strong emotional connotation can sound melodramatic or out of place in less serious contexts. Opt for alternatives like "I'm sorry to hear that" or "That's unfortunate" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I grieve that" functions as an expression of sorrow or regret, often used to convey a sense of deep sadness or mourning regarding a particular event or situation. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in formal contexts like news articles and personal reflections.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I grieve that" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a deep sense of sorrow or regret. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not as common as other similar phrases like "I regret that" but is still usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, tending towards a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider the formality of the context and audience before using this phrase, as it can sound overly dramatic in casual settings. Remember, effective communication involves selecting the most appropriate tone to convey your message clearly and respectfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I regret that

Replaces "grieve" with "regret", offering a more common synonym with a similar meaning.

I am saddened that

Uses "saddened" to convey a similar feeling of sorrow, but with a slightly different emotional tone.

It sorrows me that

Inverts the sentence structure and uses "sorrows" as a verb, providing a more formal and literary tone.

I lament that

Replaces "grieve" with "lament", suggesting a deeper sense of sorrow or mourning.

I am pained that

Emphasizes the emotional discomfort caused by the situation, using "pained" instead of "grieve".

It pains me to see that

Similar to "I am pained that" but with expanded verb phrase for added emphasis on seeing something.

It is regrettable that

Shifts the focus to the regrettable nature of the situation itself rather than the speaker's feeling.

I feel sorrow that

More direct, using "feel sorrow" instead of "grieve".

I am sorry that

A simpler and more common expression of regret.

It disappoints me that

Expresses a sense of disappointment rather than deep grief, offering a milder alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "I grieve that" in a sentence?

"I grieve that" is used to express sorrow or regret about a situation or event. For example, "I grieve that countless lives have been lost in the war" expresses sorrow over the loss of life.

What can I say instead of "I grieve that"?

You can use alternatives like "I regret that", "I am saddened that", or "I lament that", depending on the context.

Is "I grieve that" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "I grieve that" can be perceived as overly formal for everyday conversation. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "I'm sad that" or "I'm sorry that".

What's the difference between "I grieve that" and "I regret that"?

While both express sorrow or regret, "I grieve that" suggests a deeper and more profound sense of loss or sadness than "I regret that". "Grieve" implies a more intense emotional response.