I regret not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I regret not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the form of "I regret not doing/having done something". For example, "I regret not taking my mom's advice to stay away from investing in the stock market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I regret not having taken them.

The New Yorker

SP I regret: Not eating more chocolate.

The New York Times

And I regret not writing them down.

The New Yorker

I regret not getting them.

The New York Times - Sports

What do I regret not doing?

The New York Times

"I regret not being more straightforward there".

The New York Times

I regret not trying harder in college.

The New York Times

"But I regret not winning that tab.

The New York Times

I regret not being prime minister.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Do I regret not having children?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

CN I regret not having been born very rich.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I regret not" to express remorse or disappointment about a past action you didn't take. Follow it with a gerund (verb + -ing) to clearly indicate the missed action, such as "I regret not studying harder".

Common error

Avoid using the infinitive form after "I regret not". The correct structure is "I regret not doing something", not "I regret not to do something". For example, say "I regret not traveling more", not "I regret not to travel more".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I regret not" functions as an expression of remorse or disappointment concerning a missed opportunity or a past inaction. According to Ludwig, this phrase is typically followed by a gerund to specify the action that was not taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I regret not" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express remorse about a missed opportunity or past inaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically followed by a gerund. The phrase carries a neutral tone and is frequently found in news and media contexts. To avoid common errors, ensure you use the gerund form of the verb. Alternatives like "I wish I had" or "I'm sorry I didn't" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. Remember to use "I regret not" to clearly articulate the action you didn't take and now wish you had.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Looking back, I should have

Similar to 'I now realize I should have,' but specifically frames the regret in the context of past reflection.

I now realize I should have

Indicates a belated understanding of the correct action, implying regret for the previous inaction.

I wish I had

Expresses a wish for a past action or event to have occurred, focusing on the desire rather than regret.

I feel remorse for not

Emphasizes the deep emotional feeling of guilt or regret associated with a missed action.

I am sorry I didn't

Directly conveys an apology for a missed action, emphasizing the speaker's remorse.

I am disappointed I didn't

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment resulting from a failure to act.

It's a pity I didn't

Highlights the unfortunate nature of a missed opportunity, often implying a sense of mild disappointment.

I lament not

Uses more formal language to express sorrow or regret, suitable for literary or elevated contexts.

I missed the opportunity to

Focuses on the missed chance to do something, without necessarily implying strong regret.

I failed to

States the lack of action without directly implying a feeling of remorse.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I regret not" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I lament not" or "I feel remorse for not". These options elevate the language and convey a deeper sense of regret.

What's a less intense alternative to "I regret not"?

If you want to express mild disappointment rather than strong regret, try "I wish I had" or "It's a pity I didn't". These soften the emotional impact of the statement.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I regret to not" instead of "I regret not"?

While "I regret to inform you" is correct, "I regret to not" is generally avoided. It's better to say "I regret not" followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) to express regret about something you didn't do.

What verbs typically follow "I regret not"?

Verbs following "I regret not" are usually in the gerund form (e.g., "I regret not traveling", "I regret not saying"). This structure emphasizes the action you didn't take and now regret.