I regret that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I regret that" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize remorse for a wrong action or decision that has been made. For example, "I regret that my comments were seen as offensive by some members of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I regret that".

The New York Times - Sports

"Looking back, I regret that".

The New York Times

God, do I regret that".

The New Yorker

I regret that happened.

The Guardian

I regret that enormously.

The Guardian

Do I regret that choice?

The Guardian - Opinion

So I regret that more.

The New York Times

"Boy, would I regret that," she said.

The New York Times

That's really sad; I regret that enormously.

The Guardian - Music

"I regret that phone call," she said.

The New York Times - Books

I regret that picture almost daily.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I regret that" to express formal remorse for a specific situation or action. Follow it with a clear explanation of what you regret.

Common error

Avoid using "I regret that" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler expressions like "I'm sorry" or "I wish I hadn't" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I regret that" is to introduce a clause expressing remorse or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard construction for conveying regret.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I regret that" is a commonly used phrase to formally express feelings of remorse or disappointment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure its formality aligns with the context, and consider alternatives like "I am sorry that" for more casual settings. Remember that using this expression with a clear explanation ensures effective communication of regret.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am sorry that

Replaces "regret" with a more direct expression of sorrow or apology.

I feel remorse that

Emphasizes a deeper sense of guilt or regret.

I am disappointed that

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment rather than direct regret.

It's regrettable that

Shifts the focus to the regrettable nature of the situation itself.

I wish I hadn't

Expresses a wish for a different past action or decision.

I shouldn't have

Implies regret by stating that something should not have been done.

I am saddened that

Focuses on sadness caused by the event, implying regret.

I lament that

Uses a more formal and literary term for expressing grief or regret.

I am chagrined that

Emphasizes a feeling of embarrassment or humiliation about the situation.

I am rueful that

Implies a melancholic regret, often with a touch of humor or self-deprecation.

FAQs

How to use "I regret that" in a sentence?

Use "I regret that" to express remorse or disappointment about a past event or action. For example, "I regret that I didn't study harder for the exam."

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

You can use alternatives like "I am sorry that", "I feel remorse that", or "It's regrettable that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I regret that" or "I am regretting that"?

"I regret that" is generally preferred because "regret" is a stative verb, which typically does not use the continuous form. While "I am regretting that" may be used, it's less common.

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

"I regret that" expresses sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened. "I apologize for" is a direct expression of apology for a specific action or behavior. "I apologize for" usually implies taking responsibility.