a trace of regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace of regret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight feeling of remorse or sorrow about something that has happened or a decision that has been made. Example: "As she looked back on her choices, she felt a trace of regret for not pursuing her passion for art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"They are not going to be firefighters," he said without a trace of regret.

The New York Times

Then Mr. Corzine betrayed a trace of regret about the spending -- but only for a moment.

The New York Times

"I walked out on England," Bowles says without a trace of regret.

The Guardian - Sport

"The dismantling is obvious," he said, without a trace of regret.

The New York Times

"Summer's over," he said without a trace of regret, taking in the view of aspen-covered mountains framing the highway.

The New York Times - Travel

But as Wilma McClatchie, the widow who, along with her two teenage daughters, heads into a life of crime with nary a trace of regret, Ms. Dickinson is at her most gloriously sexy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

There's not a trace of sorrow.

Huffington Post

It is, all in all, hard to find in Mitnick a trace of real regret.

The Guardian - Tech

"That," he said, without a trace of sentimentality or regret, yet with the understated authority he always seemed to exude, "is the last music I will ever write for the Beatles".

Los Angeles Times

"And he never even used the fabric," she said with no trace of regret.

The New York Times

'I was always busy working on something new so I never pursued the matter,' he says, without the slightest trace of regret.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trace of regret" to show a character's complexity. It suggests they are thoughtful and capable of self-reflection, even if they don't express strong emotions openly.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of regret" when a stronger emotion is more appropriate. This phrase indicates a mild feeling; using it in a situation that warrants significant remorse can undermine your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of regret" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or following a preposition. Ludwig AI examples shows it often describes the intensity of an emotion felt by a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trace of regret" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a mild sentiment of remorse or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While not extremely frequent, it's a valuable expression for conveying subtlety in emotional descriptions. When using the phrase, ensure the context aligns with the intended mildness of the feeling, and consider alternatives like "a hint of remorse" or "a touch of sorrow" to best suit your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of remorse

Replaces "regret" with "remorse", implying a moral dimension to the feeling.

a touch of sorrow

Substitutes "regret" with "sorrow", emphasizing the sadness aspect of the feeling.

a slight twinge of regret

Adds "slight twinge" to emphasize the sudden and mild nature of the regret.

a shadow of regret

Uses "shadow" metaphorically to describe a subtle but present feeling of regret.

a faint sense of regret

Replaces "trace" with "faint sense", focusing on the perception of the emotion.

a whisper of regret

Employs "whisper" to convey the quiet and subtle nature of the regret.

a lingering regret

Highlights the persistence of the feeling over time, rather than its intensity.

a mild regret

Simple substitution to indicate how strong the feeling of regret is.

a pang of regret

Suggests a sudden, sharp feeling of regret that is short-lived.

a degree of regret

Emphasizes the presence of regret to some extent, though not overwhelming.

FAQs

How can I use "a trace of regret" in a sentence?

You can use "a trace of regret" to describe a slight feeling of remorse or sadness about something. For example: "She felt "a trace of regret" for not having spent more time with her family."

What are some alternatives to "a trace of regret"?

Alternatives include "a hint of remorse", "a touch of sorrow", or "a slight twinge of regret", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a trace of regret" or "a hint of regret"?

Both phrases are valid, but "a trace of regret" suggests an even subtler feeling than "a hint of regret". The best choice depends on the precise level of emotion you want to express.

What does it mean to feel "a trace of regret"?

To feel "a trace of regret" means to experience a small amount of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened or something you have done. It implies the feeling is not overwhelming, but still present.