definitely sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sense of regret or apology in a casual or informal context. Example: "I am definitely sorry for missing your birthday party; I really wanted to be there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I was definitely sorry for him," Zimonjic said in Melbourne.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was definitely sorry for him," Zimonjic said in Melbourne, where the Open begins Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I definitely feel sorry for all the British fans; it would have been great for Lewis to win his home race, so that's disappointing.

Independent

However, it should definitely say sorry to the thousands let down by the Westminster conventional wisdom that it took the lead in cementing – or at least mention it in a speech.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And I'm definitely not sorry for the main issue I promoted.

BBC

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

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The New Yorker

But I definitely wasn't sorry and sure don't thank him.

Huffington Post

I definitely opened by saying sorry.

The Guardian - Sport

Men in Argentina definitely speak more poetically (sorry boys).

Huffington Post

"So I'm definitely not going to feel sorry for him".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely sorry" to convey a strong sense of regret, particularly in situations where a more formal apology might seem excessive.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely sorry" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely sorry" functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective to express a strong feeling of regret. As Ludwig AI states, it conveys a strong sense of regret or apology.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitely sorry" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying a strong sense of regret or apology, as validated by Ludwig AI. Although infrequent, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for informal or neutral settings, with more formal environments potentially benefiting from alternatives like "sincerely apologize" or "truly sorry". Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing between "definitely sorry" and other expressions of remorse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly sorry

Replaces "definitely" with "truly" for a sincere apology.

unquestionably sorry

Replaces "definitely" with "unquestionably" for emphasis.

undeniably sorry

Conveys a clear and certain apology using "undeniably".

extremely regretful

Intensifies the feeling of regret by using "extremely".

absolutely regretful

Highlights the completeness of regret using "absolutely".

sincerely regretful

Uses a more formal tone with "sincerely" and replaces "sorry" with "regretful".

deeply apologetic

Emphasizes the depth of the apology using "deeply" and replaces "sorry" with "apologetic".

utterly apologetic

Stresses the completeness of the apology with "utterly".

genuinely remorseful

Conveys authentic regret through the use of "genuinely" and "remorseful".

veritably sorry

Uses a more archaic intensifier "veritably" to express genuine sorrow.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "definitely sorry"?

The phrase "definitely sorry" is suitable for expressing regret in informal contexts. For formal situations, consider alternatives such as "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret".

What are some alternatives to saying "definitely sorry"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "truly sorry", "genuinely remorseful", or "sincerely regretful".

Is "definitely sorry" grammatically correct?

Yes, "definitely sorry" is grammatically correct. It combines an adverb of emphasis ("definitely") with an adjective expressing regret ("sorry").

How does the intensity of "definitely sorry" compare to "sorry"?

Adding "definitely" intensifies the feeling of regret compared to simply saying "sorry". It conveys a stronger and more certain sense of apology.