express contrition for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express contrition for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is conveying remorse or regret for a specific action or situation. Example: "After realizing the impact of his words, he decided to express contrition for his hurtful comments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

After testifying for six hours on Jan . 29 Mr. Blair was invited once again to express contrition for the human cost of his policies in support of George W. Bush.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan visited this city today to express contrition for his country's brutal colonial past, in his second exercise in regional reconciliation in two weeks.

The New York Times

We would go to the Israeli Embassy and ask for permission to visit Gaza as well as whatever towns in Israel had received rocket attacks, explaining that our purpose would not be to discredit anyone but simply to express contrition for our complicity in the quagmire as citizens of the most powerful nation in the world that has not stopped tinkering in the Middle East for the past 50 years.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nor has Mr. Rajaratnam expressed contrition for the trading that resulted in his convictions.

The New York Times

Expressing contrition for unfiltered remarks is becoming an election-year tradition.

The New York Times

They also expressed contrition for the mistakes that got their countries into trouble and promised to do better.

The New York Times

He reportedly demanded a letter from President Barack Obama expressing contrition for military mistakes in the past and a commitment to avoid them in the future.

The Economist

Brown released a video to YouTube in which he expressed contrition for the incident, while wearing a pendant that read "Oops", presumably intended as shorthand for the entirely fitting and contrite response that is: "Oops!

The Guardian - Music

While Cameron's aides pointed out that twat is not a swear word under radio guidelines and said he had apologised immediately for his latter comment, he later expressed contrition for his use of bad language.

The Guardian

Real change began to occur only in 1970 when the German chancellor Willy Brandt struck out on a new course of détente with the East and expressed contrition for Nazi crimes.

The New York Times - Books

Yesterday's apology was the first time he had expressed contrition for the Polish participation in the Warsaw Pact invasion of 1968, when the Red Army's tanks entered Prague to crush the liberalising movement known as the Prague Spring.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "express contrition for" when you want to formally acknowledge and articulate regret for something you or someone else has done. It carries a stronger sense of formality than a simple apology.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "express contrition for" in casual conversations or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or insincere in contexts where a simple "I'm sorry" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express contrition for" functions as a verb phrase that conveys a formal and sincere acknowledgement of wrongdoing. As shown by Ludwig AI, it's often used in contexts where an apology alone may not suffice, indicating a deeper sense of remorse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "express contrition for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for formally conveying deep regret and responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms it's typically found in news and media contexts, indicating a more serious and considered tone than a simple apology. While less common in everyday conversation, as the example count suggests, it's most suitable for situations where sincerity and acknowledgement of wrongdoing are paramount. Alternatives such as "apologize for" or "show remorse for" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show remorse for

Focuses on displaying feelings of deep regret and guilt.

apologize for

A more direct and common way of expressing regret.

express regret for

Indicates sorrow or disappointment over something.

show regret for

Similar to "express regret", but emphasizes the demonstration of regret.

lament

To express sorrow or mourning.

rue the day

To feel sorrow or regret for something that happened.

be apologetic about

To show or express feelings of apology.

feel contrite about

To experience genuine feelings of remorse and penitence.

make amends for

To do something to correct a past wrong.

take responsibility for

Acknowledging accountability, though not necessarily expressing emotion.

FAQs

What does "express contrition for" mean?

To "express contrition for" means to show or communicate sincere regret and remorse for a wrongdoing or mistake. It involves acknowledging the fault and conveying a feeling of sorrow.

How do I use "express contrition for" in a sentence?

You can use "express contrition for" by following it with the specific action or event that caused the regret. For example, "He decided to "express contrition for" his misjudgment during the negotiation."

What are some alternatives to "express contrition for"?

You can use alternatives like "apologize for", "show remorse for", or "express regret for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "express contrition for" instead of "apologize for"?

"Express contrition for" is more appropriate when the situation requires a formal and sincere acknowledgement of wrongdoing. While "apologize for" is suitable for everyday situations, "express contrition for" is better suited for situations involving significant errors or offenses.