a shadow of regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shadow of regret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lingering feeling of remorse or sadness about a past action or decision. Example: "As she looked back on her choices, she felt a shadow of regret for the opportunities she had missed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On the one hand, it can cast a shadow of regret on some life decisions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sylvia believed that she might have seen a shadow of regret in his eyes that this was so.

The New Yorker

Like his contemporary Mahler, Elgar was a great musical observer, and over everything, he observed, there is a shadow of regret: the sense that the marching will soon be over and that, in any event, it is not for everyone.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

No peep of guilt, no shadow of regret, is allowed to spoil the procession.

Independent

A shadow of a shadow.

The New Yorker

It is a shadow of itself.

The New Yorker

"Without a shadow of a doubt.

BBC

Without a shadow of doubt.

BMC Nursing

(It's no coincidence that Marela dreams of visiting Moscow, just like the title characters in one of Mr. Cruz's earlier works, "Two Sisters and a Piano".) And each of the actresses brings out appropriately Chekovian shadows of regret and muted desire.

The New York Times

But as the women exchange reminiscences of their experience, often talking briskly over one another, ghostly shadows of regret and disappointment begin to gather.

The New York Times

A matter of regret?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shadow of regret" to subtly convey a lasting feeling of sadness or disappointment over a past event or decision, rather than directly stating strong remorse.

Common error

Avoid using "a shadow of regret" in overly informal or trivial situations. The phrase carries a weight that might be inappropriate for lighthearted discussions. Opt for simpler expressions of disappointment instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shadow of regret" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subtle yet persistent feeling of sadness or remorse. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through several examples found in its database.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shadow of regret" is a noun phrase that describes a lingering feeling of sadness or disappointment, commonly used in neutral to formal contexts. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in News & Media, arts, and literature to subtly express lasting remorse. While grammatically sound, the phrase should be carefully employed, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases include "a lingering regret" and "a hint of remorse", offering alternative ways to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lingering regret

Emphasizes the duration of the feeling, suggesting it persists over time.

a hint of remorse

Indicates a milder form of regret, a slight feeling of guilt or sorrow.

a pang of regret

Describes a sudden, sharp feeling of regret.

a touch of sadness

Focuses on the emotional aspect of sadness stemming from the regretful situation.

a sense of loss

Highlights the feeling of something being lost due to the regretted action or situation.

a tinge of disappointment

Suggests a mild feeling of disappointment mixed with the regret.

a whisper of sorrow

Presents a very subtle and subdued sense of regret.

a wave of remorse

Implies a strong and overwhelming feeling of regret.

a feeling of rue

Uses a less common word to express sorrow or regret.

a burden of guilt

Focuses on the guilt associated with the regretted action, emphasizing the weight of the feeling.

FAQs

How can "a shadow of regret" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a shadow of regret" to describe a lingering feeling of sadness or remorse over a past action. For example, "A shadow of regret lingered in her eyes as she spoke about her past decisions."

What phrases are similar to "a shadow of regret"?

Similar phrases include "a lingering regret", "a hint of remorse", or "a pang of regret", each conveying varying degrees of sadness and remorse.

Is it appropriate to use "a shadow of regret" in formal writing?

Yes, "a shadow of regret" can be used in formal writing to subtly express sadness or disappointment about a past event or decision.

How does "a shadow of regret" differ from "deep remorse"?

"A shadow of regret" implies a subtle, lingering feeling, while "deep remorse" suggests a more intense and profound feeling of guilt and sorrow.