express sincere regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express sincere regret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey a genuine feeling of remorse or apology for a situation or action. Example: "I would like to express sincere regret for the misunderstanding that occurred during our last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment".

Huffington Post

"He was glad to see Bill, who the Senator considers to be a good friend, apologize and express sincere regret for his comment". .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It restarted trading shortly after midday, with the chief executive, Xavier Rolet, expressing "sincere regret" at the inconvenience caused.

The New York Times

After the papers were handed over, the government expressed "sincere regret" and paid £13.9m in compensation to more than 5,000 prison survivors.

The Guardian

2010 The health minister Mike O'Brien makes a formal apology to thalidomide victims, expressing "sincere regret and deep sympathy" on behalf of the government.

The Guardian

In January 2010, the government expressed "sincere regret" for the decision to give the drug the stamp of approval and set up a funding scheme to help survivors cope.

The Guardian

On behalf of the British government he expressed "sincere regret" that these abuses had taken place, announced payments of £2,600 to each of 5,200 vetted claimants, and urged that the process of healing for both nations begin.

The Guardian - Opinion

The British government expressed "sincere regret" in January 2010 for the decision to give the drug the stamp of approval and set up a funding scheme to help survivors cope.

The Guardian

Though the paper may have expressed "sincere regret" for its hacking activities, it would never consider apologising for a much greater offence – transforming modern popular journalism into little more than a newsprint version of an old-fashioned seaside what-the-butler-saw machine.

The Guardian

In a further statement from its chief executive, Amtrak expressed "sincere regret" and promised refunds.

BBC

He has since expressed "sincere regret" for not looking more closely at the picture before he commented on it.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Contextualize the regret by clearly stating what you are expressing regret for. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the recipient understands the basis of your apology.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "express sincere regret" without showing concrete steps to address the cause of the regret. Empty words can undermine your sincerity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express sincere regret" functions as a performative utterance, specifically an act of apologizing or conveying remorse. It explicitly communicates the speaker's or writer's feelings, as Ludwig AI confirms, showcasing it as a direct way to acknowledge fault or express sympathy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "express sincere regret" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying remorse or apology, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceptionally frequent, its presence in authoritative news sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, suggests its appropriateness in formal and professional contexts. When using "express sincere regret", it is beneficial to follow up with tangible actions to show genuine remorse, or otherwise is advisable to use alternative expressions such as "offer heartfelt apologies" or "convey deep remorse".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer heartfelt apologies

Replaces "regret" with a stronger term, focusing on apology.

convey deep remorse

Emphasizes the depth of feeling.

extend sincere apologies

Similar to offering heartfelt apologies, focusing on the apology itself.

voice genuine regret

Replaces "express" with "voice", adding a slightly more personal tone.

communicate sincere remorse

Similar to "convey deep remorse" but using "communicate" instead of "express".

show sincere contrition

Uses "contrition" to highlight a sense of penitence.

register profound regret

Similar to expressing regret, but suggests a more formal documentation of the feeling.

declare sincere regret

Imparts a tone of formality in communicating regret.

share sincere regret

Implies sharing the feeling with others affected.

profess deep sorrow

Shifts focus to sadness and grief rather than direct apology.

FAQs

How can I use "express sincere regret" in a sentence?

You can use "express sincere regret" to formally apologize for a mistake or express sympathy. For example, "I want to express sincere regret for the error in the report" or "We express sincere regret for any inconvenience caused."

What are some alternatives to "express sincere regret"?

Some alternatives include "offer heartfelt apologies", "convey deep remorse", or "extend sincere apologies". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to "express sincere regret" or simply apologize?

While a simple apology is often sufficient, "express sincere regret" can convey a deeper sense of remorse, particularly in formal or serious situations. It indicates a genuine understanding of the impact of one's actions.

What does it mean to "express sincere regret"?

To "express sincere regret" means to communicate a genuine feeling of sorrow or remorse for something that has happened, acknowledging the negative impact and conveying a desire to make amends or prevent recurrence.