bitterly sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitterly sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep sense of regret or remorse about a situation or action. Example: "After realizing the impact of my words, I felt bitterly sorry for the pain I caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He said: "He is a man who is bitterly sorry, not because he got caught but sorry for what he has done".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The New Yorker

The chief executive of G4S Security has said he is sorry and bitterly disappointed that the firm cannot provide enough security guards for the London Olympics.

BBC

"They have covered up all of this, all the time they said nothing about it, ignored it, and when they couldn't cover it up any more they come and tell me they're sorry!" he said bitterly.

The Guardian

But Mr. Vinegrad pounced on the witness, asking him bitterly several times if he truly was sorry.

The New York Times

A sorry scene ensues — the room is bitterly cold, so Frédérique pours some alcohol into a saucepan on the ground, and lights it with a match.

The New Yorker

"I am sorry to add that she was sobbing bitterly".

The Guardian - Books

His lawyers said in a statement: "Mr Mooney bitterly regrets being caught up in the News of the World's entrapment and is unreservedly sorry for the impact that sting has had on snooker and Mr Higgins in particular".

The Guardian - Sport

They are bitterly divided.

The Economist

His parents separated bitterly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitterly sorry" when you want to convey a strong and sincere sense of regret, particularly when the action or situation has had significant negative consequences.

Common error

While "bitterly sorry" expresses strong regret, overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where the remorse is genuinely profound, and consider alternatives like "deeply sorry" or "extremely sorry" in less severe cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitterly sorry" functions as an expression of deep regret or remorse. The adverb "bitterly" intensifies the adjective "sorry", conveying a heightened sense of contrition. As Ludwig indicates, it is grammatically correct and used to express a strong sense of disappointment or remorse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bitterly sorry" is a potent expression of deep regret, best reserved for situations where genuine remorse is felt. As indicated by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and understandable in English. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to convey sincerity and depth of feeling. While "bitterly sorry" is suitable for news media and formal communication, it should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact, with more informal alternatives like "really sorry" or "so sorry" being preferable in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply sorry

Substitutes "bitterly" with "deeply", providing a more profound sense of remorse.

profoundly sorry

Substitutes "bitterly" with "profoundly", indicating a very deep and sincere regret.

extremely sorry

Replaces "bitterly" with "extremely", softening the intensity of the regret.

intensely sorry

Substitutes "bitterly" with "intensely", emphasizing the depth and strength of the regret.

tremendously sorry

Replaces "bitterly" with "tremendously", amplifying the magnitude of the regret.

desperately sorry

Replaces "bitterly" with "desperately", emphasizing the intensity and urgency of the regret.

dreadfully sorry

Employs "dreadfully" in place of "bitterly", conveying a strong sense of regret and distress.

awfully sorry

Uses "awfully" instead of "bitterly", offering a less formal expression of regret.

seriously sorry

Uses "seriously" to underscore the sincerity and importance of the regret.

deep sorry

A more concise, though less common, way of expressing profound regret.

FAQs

How can I use "bitterly sorry" in a sentence?

You can use "bitterly sorry" to express deep regret or remorse. For example: "After realizing the consequences of his actions, he was "bitterly sorry" for the pain he had caused."

What are some alternatives to "bitterly sorry"?

Alternatives to "bitterly sorry" include "deeply sorry", "extremely sorry", or "profoundly sorry". The best choice depends on the specific context and the intensity of the regret you wish to convey.

Is "bitterly sorry" more formal or informal?

"Bitterly sorry" leans towards a more formal register, as it uses a stronger adverb. In more casual conversation, "really sorry" or "so sorry" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "bitterly sorry" and "slightly sorry"?

"Bitterly sorry" indicates a very strong and deep sense of regret, while "slightly sorry" suggests only a mild level of regret. The choice depends on how strongly you feel remorseful.