a regrettable outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a regrettable outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or result that is unfortunate or disappointing. Example: "The project's failure was a regrettable outcome of poor planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But were the process to be sound in constitutional terms, a regrettable outcome ought not to be seen as a setback for democracy.

The Economist

(A Pink Genji would probably look cool, but it would probably just make more people play him — a regrettable outcome).

TechCrunch

(2005) argue that the experience of regret results in a change in the emotional values associated with choices, biasing against choices that led to a regrettable outcome and triggering an assessment of how behavior needs to change.

Child Development

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Countless individually rational decisions can snowball into a socially regrettable outcome.

The Washington Post

I find it unfortunate, though not surprising, that original claims of tribal sovereignty have been largely ignored in the reporting of the takeover, a most regrettable outcome of all of this.

HuffPost

That means that Islamophobia is a manufactured phenomenon, it is not an organic regrettable outcome of bad Muslims doing bad things, it is something that is being deliberately created in the public, and there's research that proves that there is an entire industry dedicated to manufacturing fear.

University of California, Berkeley

Much of it, however, is likely to be of intelligent design and creationist bent, and will accordingly use the book as ammunition against evolutionary theory, rather than as a useful source of information (which by and large it is not anyway) while ignoring the important historical and factual details that the book gets wrong, a most unfortunate and regrettable outcome.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The national terror seems to be of an attack by sea, though no maritime invaders have landed in Australia since the aborigines came some 40,000-80,000 yeago.ago.That net immigration has started to fall since 2009 (see chart 3) is one regrettable outcome of the fuss.

The Economist

Despite this regrettable outcome, in both cases it is permissible to harvest any and all organs.

HuffPost

As Dean Starkman nicely phrased it in the latest issue of The Columbia Journalism Review, the credit card industry "has shifted from a lending and underwriting paradigm to a sales paradigm; penalties, fees and default interest at rates that were illegal a generation ago are no longer regrettable outcomes to be avoided but central to the business model".

The New York Times

When those decisions led to regrettable outcomes, it only underscored the idea that they weren't worthy, reinforcing a negative cycle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a regrettable outcome", ensure the context clearly establishes what actions or decisions led to the undesirable result. This provides a clearer understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

While appropriate for many situations, avoid overusing "a regrettable outcome" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise terms like "adverse effect" or "detrimental consequence" to convey the severity more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a regrettable outcome" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It denotes a result or consequence that is considered unfortunate or undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a regrettable outcome" is a noun phrase used to describe an unfortunate or undesirable result. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, mainly News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider stronger synonyms for highly formal or academic writing. When using this phrase, clarify the cause-and-effect relationship for greater impact. Remember, alternative phrases like "an unfortunate result" or "a disappointing consequence" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfortunate result

Emphasizes the element of bad luck or chance associated with the outcome.

a disappointing consequence

Highlights the unmet expectations and dissatisfaction arising from the result.

an undesirable effect

Focuses on the negative impact or influence of the outcome.

an unwelcome development

Stresses the lack of acceptance or approval of the situation.

an unfortunate turn of events

Suggests a change in circumstances leading to a negative result.

a lamentable situation

Indicates a cause for sorrow or regret about the circumstances.

a disastrous result

Implies a significantly negative and damaging effect.

an adverse consequence

Highlights the opposing or harmful nature of the outcome.

an undesirable situation

Focuses on the general negativity and lack of appeal of the circumstances.

a negative ramification

Emphasizes the indirect and often unforeseen consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "a regrettable outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "a regrettable outcome" to describe an unfortunate result of a decision or action. For example, "The project's failure was "a regrettable outcome" of poor planning."

What are some alternatives to saying "a regrettable outcome"?

Alternatives include "an unfortunate result", "a disappointing consequence", or "an undesirable effect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a regrettable outcome" formal or informal?

"A regrettable outcome" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in very formal writing, consider more precise terms like "adverse effect".

What makes "a regrettable outcome" different from "an unfortunate event"?

"A regrettable outcome" typically refers to the result of a specific action or decision, while "an unfortunate event" describes a broader situation that may not be directly linked to a specific cause.