entirely sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a complete or total sense of regret or apology for something that has occurred. Example: "I am entirely sorry for the misunderstanding that led to this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He'd be a fine composer without it, but he's not entirely sorry he has it.

Independent

But Mr. Liang, after more than two decades as a big investor on the mainland, is not entirely sorry that he will have to stick to exports.

The New York Times

(Different audiences may be struck by different dissonances: Is O'Mara entirely sorry about getting the chance to note that Martin's parents have had a lot of press conferences?) In the bond hearing, an assistant prosecutor asked Zimmerman if, in any of his statements to the police after the shooting, he had said that he was sorry for the parents loss or for "what you'd done".

The New Yorker

Why the world needs that, of course, is another question entirely — sorry to say, Yahoo Mail diehards.

TechCrunch

I wasn't entirely sorry to be rid of her.

Huffington Post

He may have deleted his tweets about it, but Cee Lo Green is not entirely sorry for changing the lyrics to "Imagine" on New Year's Eve.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The New Yorker

[Technical note: I refuse to use the term "CW" for "Conventional Wisdom" as some are wont to do. For me, personally, "CW" means something else entirely. Sorry about that.].

Huffington Post

Scott Brown served a not-entirely-disastrous term (Sorry! Liberal Masshole, remember?) for the people of Massachusetts and will likely remain engaged in politics.

Huffington Post

61 min: Somewhat bizarrely... sorry, no ENTIRELY bizarrely that malingering sperm whale I mentioned earlier has been replaced by what sounds like a 30-piece Mexican Mariachi band.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "entirely sorry", ensure that your actions align with your words. A genuine apology should be followed by efforts to rectify the situation or avoid repeating the mistake.

Common error

While "entirely sorry" emphasizes sincerity, overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where a profound apology is truly warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely sorry" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "sorry". As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to express a strong and complete feeling of regret or remorse. It emphasizes the sincerity of the apology.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entirely sorry" is a valid and relatively common phrase used to express a strong sense of regret or apology. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and primarily appears in news and media sources. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a profound apology is needed, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "completely apologetic" or "deeply regretful", each carrying subtle differences in nuance. Therefore, use "entirely sorry" thoughtfully to convey genuine remorse and sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincerely apologetic

Adds "sincerely" to emphasize the genuineness of the apology.

truly regretful

Emphasizes the truthfulness of the feeling of regret.

completely apologetic

Replaces "sorry" with "apologetic", emphasizing the act of apologizing.

unequivocally sorry

Indicates that there is no doubt or ambiguity about the feeling of being sorry.

wholeheartedly apologetic

Conveys that the apology is given with complete sincerity and without reservation.

deeply regretful

Uses "regretful" to highlight the feeling of remorse instead of simply being sorry.

absolutely apologetic

Highlights the complete and total nature of the apology.

utterly remorseful

Substitutes "sorry" with "remorseful", stressing the feeling of deep regret.

fully repentant

Replaces "sorry" with "repentant", emphasizing a turning away from wrongdoing and feeling of remorse.

genuinely contrite

Replaces "sorry" with "contrite", indicating sincere remorse and penitence.

FAQs

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

You can use "entirely sorry" to express deep regret, for example: "I am "entirely sorry" for the misunderstanding my actions caused."

What phrases are similar to "entirely sorry"?

Similar phrases include "completely apologetic", "deeply regretful", or "sincerely apologetic". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "entirely sorry" or "very sorry"?

"Entirely sorry" suggests a deeper, more complete sense of regret compared to "very sorry". Choose "entirely sorry" when you want to emphasize the profoundness of your apology.

What is the difference between "entirely sorry" and "I apologize"?

"I apologize" is a direct expression of apology. "Entirely sorry" emphasizes the emotional state of being regretful. Both can be used together for greater impact: "I apologize, and I am "entirely sorry" for my actions".