express my regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'express my regret' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express your true feelings of remorse or sorrow about something. For example: "I would like to express my regret for any inconvenience this may have caused you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Martin said he contacted the students to "express my regret".

The New York Times

I must express my regret, but I must also express my gratitude.

The Guardian - Tech

"I would like to express my regret and heartfelt sorrow," said the commandant, Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch.

The New York Times

"Words aren't adequate to express my regret and sorrow," said Jim Donahue, the adviser, on the videotape.

The New York Times

"I have no words to express my regret," the president, Masataka Shimizu, told the evacuees after making his way through cardboard beds and blankets.

The New York Times

Yet the Commission has determined that this is the case, and so, again, I want to express my regret for breaching the Communion's bonds of affection," Bishop Chane said in a statement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I called Alia to thank her and express my regrets.

The New Yorker

I'm very disappointed and want to express my regrets to the British Open fans".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm very disappointed and want to express my regrets to British Open fans".

Independent

"I express my regrets to the public for causing such a great concern.

Forbes

I have already spoken personally to Ed Miliband and expressed my regret that such a terrible lapse of judgement should have taken place".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express my regret" when you genuinely want to convey feelings of remorse or sorrow. Ensure the context aligns with the sincerity of the expression.

Common error

Avoid using "express my regret" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "offer my sincere regrets" or "apologize for my errors" to maintain authenticity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express my regret" functions as a performative utterance, indicating a speaker's action of conveying feelings of sorrow or remorse. It is used to formally communicate regret, as supported by Ludwig AI, and aligns with examples found in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "express my regret" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to communicate feelings of sorrow or remorse. According to Ludwig AI, it serves as a performative utterance, indicating a sincere expression of regret. While relatively infrequent in overall usage, it finds common application in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. For varied expressions, synonyms like "convey my apologies" or "offer my sincere regrets" can be considered. When using the phrase, sincerity and specificity are key to conveying genuine remorse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show my regret

A more direct and simple way to indicate regret.

offer my sincere regrets

Emphasizes the sincerity of the regret being expressed.

apologize for my errors

Directly offers an apology for committed errors.

convey my apologies

Focuses on offering an apology rather than simply expressing regret.

communicate my remorse

Uses a more formal term, "remorse", to express deep regret.

share my deep sorrow

Highlights the feeling of sorrow associated with the regret.

voice my contrition

Employs "contrition", indicating a feeling of guilt and repentance.

lament my actions

Focuses on expressing grief or sorrow over specific actions.

rue my mistakes

Uses "rue" to show sorrow and regret for past mistakes.

deplore my behavior

Indicates strong disapproval and regret for one's own behavior.

FAQs

What's a formal way to say "express my regret"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "convey my apologies" or "communicate my remorse". These options convey a similar sentiment with increased formality.

When is it appropriate to use "express my regret"?

It's appropriate to use "express my regret" when you genuinely feel sorrow or remorse for a particular situation or action. The context should warrant a sincere expression of regret.

How can I make "express my regret" sound more sincere?

To make your expression of regret more sincere, be specific about what you regret and why. Show empathy and understanding of the impact of your actions. Avoid generic statements and focus on demonstrating genuine remorse.

What are some alternative phrases similar to "express my regret"?

Alternatives include "offer my sincere regrets", "show my regret", or "apologize for my errors". These variations can provide a slightly different nuance to your expression of regret, depending on the specific context.