express remorse

USAGE SUMMARY

"express remorse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when someone is apologizing for something that they did wrong, and it indicates that they are sincerely sorry for their actions. For example: "John expressed remorse for accidentally breaking the vase, and offered to replace it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But I cannot express remorse.

Independent

Effective apologies also express remorse.

Harvard Business Review

To express remorse, they must acknowledge guilt.

The New York Times

One soldier in Lloyd-Davies' documentary does express remorse.

Independent

To get paroled, convicts must express remorse for their crimes.

The New York Times

Sotoudeh said that Hosseini refuses to express remorse.

The New Yorker

He did not express remorse over his crimes.

The New York Times

And so Mr. Pride stood up in his orange prisoner's jumpsuit to express remorse.

The New York Times

Virginia has just become the first American state officially to express remorse for slavery.

The Economist

Most players express remorse almost immediately after their altercations with concrete or steel objects.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not express remorse, and characterized Ms. Cachay's death as an event that had happened to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express remorse", ensure that the context clearly indicates the action or event for which remorse is being expressed. Being specific strengthens the sincerity of the statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "expressed remorse" without providing any detail about how they expressed it or what actions they took to demonstrate their regret. Without specific actions or words, the statement may seem insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express remorse" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of showing or communicating regret or sorrow for wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The phrase often introduces a clause detailing the specific actions or words used to convey this regret.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express remorse" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of showing regret or sorrow. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used when someone is apologizing for something they did wrong, indicating sincere regret. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it's frequently found in news and media, formal business contexts, and on wikis. While alternatives like "show regret" or "offer an apology" exist, "express remorse" carries a specific connotation of acknowledging responsibility and seeking understanding. Ensure the context clearly indicates the action for which remorse is shown to enhance the sincerity of your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show regret

Emphasizes the demonstration of feeling sorry.

offer an apology

Focuses on the act of giving an apology.

convey sorrow

Highlights the communication of sadness or grief over a wrongdoing.

acknowledge guilt

Stresses the acceptance of responsibility for an offense.

demonstrate contrition

Emphasizes the act of showing sincere remorse and penitence.

feel remorse

Focuses on the internal emotion of regret.

voice regret

Highlights the verbal expression of sorrow.

lament actions

Emphasizes mourning or expressing sorrow over past deeds.

rue the day

Expresses bitter regret about something that happened.

ask for forgiveness

Focuses on seeking absolution for a wrong committed.

FAQs

How can I use "express remorse" in a sentence?

You can use "express remorse" to describe someone showing regret or sorrow for their actions. For example, "The defendant "expressed remorse" for his crimes during the sentencing hearing."

What are some alternatives to "express remorse"?

Alternatives include "show regret", "offer an apology", or "convey sorrow". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "express remorse" or "feel remorse"?

"Express remorse" refers to an outward demonstration of regret, while "feel remorse" indicates an internal emotion. Whether to emphasize the outward expression or the internal feeling depends on the context. Demonstrating remorse can be more convincing than merely feeling it.

What is the difference between "express regret" and "express remorse"?

"Express regret" is a milder form of acknowledging something undesirable, whereas "express remorse" implies a deeper sense of guilt or sorrow for a specific wrongdoing. "Expressing remorse" suggests taking responsibility for causing harm or offense.