and regrettably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and regrettably" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement or clause that expresses regret or disappointment. Example: "We had planned to have a picnic in the park, but regrettably, it started to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And regrettably, sadly, they played very dirty.

The Guardian - Sport

Those moments are crucial, and regrettably too infrequent.

The New York Times

And, regrettably, it is largely ill-prepared to deliver.

The Guardian

And, regrettably, it's like a state of mania.

Harvard Business Review

And regrettably, both still have adherents and defenders.

The Washington Post

And regrettably more than a few people were misled.

The Guardian

"There are two philosophies in Europe and regrettably in the whole world as well," he said.

The New York Times

Much of his reputation was shaped by writers' lazy, hazy thinking, and regrettably still is.

The New York Times - Books

(More than 100 questions were submitted, and regrettably not all can be answered on the blog).

The New York Times

Before Russell could edit himself, he spat out, angrily and regrettably: "Be quiet, Uncle Tom".

The New York Times

THURSDAY, JULY 21 Twice-weekly yoga session today and, regrettably, very bad yoga garb.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and regrettably" to smoothly transition into a statement of disappointment or misfortune, ensuring it logically connects to the preceding clause. It works best when the previous sentence sets up an expectation or context.

Common error

Avoid using "and regrettably" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing. Its somewhat formal tone can sound out of place if overused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and regrettably" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses while simultaneously expressing the speaker or writer's regret about the statement that follows. Ludwig examples show it bridging related ideas with an added layer of disappointment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "and regrettably" is a correct and commonly used conjunctive phrase to introduce a statement of disappointment or misfortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, it smoothly connects related ideas while expressing regret. Predominantly found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, use "and regrettably" to create a seamless transition to negative information, but avoid overuse in informal settings. Similar phrases include "and unfortunately" and "and sadly", which can serve as more appropriate alternatives depending on the context. Remember to consider the flow and desired level of formality to make the best writing choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and regrettably so

Adds emphasis to the regretfulness of the situation.

and unfortunately

Similar in meaning but focuses more on the unfortunate nature of the situation.

and sadly

Emphasizes the sorrowful aspect of the situation.

and much to my regret

Explicitly states the speaker's regret.

and I regret to say

Directly expresses the speaker's regret in a formal tone.

and to my dismay

Highlights the speaker's personal disappointment.

and to my disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment.

and it is regrettable that

More formal and explicitly expresses regret.

and lamentably

More formal and literary synonym for regrettably.

and it's a pity

More colloquial way of expressing regret.

FAQs

How can I use "and regrettably" in a sentence?

Use "and regrettably" to introduce a piece of disappointing or unfortunate news that follows logically from the previous statement. For instance, "We hoped for good weather, and regrettably, it rained all day."

What phrases are similar to "and regrettably"?

You can use alternatives such as "and unfortunately", "and sadly", or "and to my dismay" to express a similar sentiment of regret or disappointment.

Is it always necessary to use "and" before "regrettably"?

While "regrettably" can start a sentence on its own, using "and regrettably" often provides a smoother transition, especially when the statement follows logically from the preceding one. Consider the flow and context when deciding whether to include "and".

What is the level of formality of "and regrettably"?

"And regrettably" is considered moderately formal. While suitable for news articles, business communications, and academic writing, it might sound somewhat out of place in very casual conversations. Choose alternatives like "and sadly" for informal contexts.