I regretted that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I regretted that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express remorse or regret for a past action or situation. Example sentence: I regretted that I had not taken my studies more seriously when I was younger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Ultimately, and especially watching the opening weekend of the season and knowing I'm still very much able to play a good standard of football, I regretted that decision.

BBC

I regretted that reaction as soon I'd had it -- but it was still my initial instinct.

Huffington Post

And I regretted that vote as a result because I thought it was abused.

Huffington Post

I was hesitant to bring too many accessories myself but I regretted that decision!

Huffington Post

"After a while, I regretted that [focus] in a way, because that wasn't the point: it wasn't that he was 'normal' so he shouldn't be there.

Vice

Wistfully, I realized that I had probably made the right career choice, though I regretted that my mother and kindly Mr. Neidich were not alive to hear me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Do I regret that?

The New Yorker

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I regretted that" to express a change of heart or a feeling of disappointment about a past decision or event. Ensure the context clearly indicates what you are regretting.

Common error

Avoid using "I regretted that" when you mean to express current regret. Instead, use "I regret that" for present feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I regretted that" functions as a statement expressing a past feeling of remorse, disappointment, or wishing something had been different. It indicates a retrospective evaluation of a past action or situation, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I regretted that" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express a past feeling of regret or disappointment. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in written English. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, formal settings and academia. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being regretted, and consider alternatives like "I wish I hadn't" or "I am sorry that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am sorry that

A more direct and simpler expression of regret.

I wish I hadn't

Focuses on the wish to undo a past action.

I'm disappointed that

Expresses disappointment, a milder form of regret.

I feel remorseful about

Emphasizes a deeper sense of guilt or sorrow.

In hindsight, I shouldn't have

Highlights a change in perspective after the event.

I look back on that with regret

Focuses on a retrospective view of the situation.

I now realize it was a mistake to

Emphasizes the realization of an error.

I have come to regret

Indicates a gradual process of developing regret.

It's a source of regret for me that

Highlights the ongoing nature of the regret.

I lament

A more formal and expressive way to convey regret.

FAQs

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

Use "I regretted that" to express a past feeling of remorse or disappointment about a specific event or decision. For example, "I regretted that I didn't study harder for the exam."

What's a more formal way to say "I regretted that"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "I lament", which conveys a deeper sense of sorrow or regret.

What can I say instead of "I regretted that" to express a wish?

You could say "I wish I hadn't" to express a wish that you had acted differently in the past.

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

"I regret that" expresses a present feeling of regret, while "I regretted that" expresses a feeling of regret that occurred in the past.