express sorrow for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express sorrow for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying feelings of sadness or regret about a situation or event. Example: "During the memorial service, many attendees took a moment to express sorrow for the loss of their beloved friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He didn't express sorrow for the Levy family.

The New York Times

Furthermore, one can simultaneously express sorrow for the dead, particularly the children, and resist direct United States military intervention.

The New York Times

If Chmura blames the teenage girl or fails to express sorrow for his actions, he could be suspended.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr Maggie Atkinson said she had sent a letter to Denise Fergus to express sorrow for the "hurt" that resulted from her remarks.

Independent

But you can still express sorrow for their fear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Repeatedly, he apologized and expressed sorrow for the outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

He confessed his sin to me, and expressed sorrow for what he had done.

The Guardian - Opinion

Much of the photography is equally elegiac, expressing sorrow for what is irrecoverably past.

The New York Times

One defends Sartre and the other expresses sorrow for the loss of prestige.

The Guardian - Books

We've expressed sorrow for it, and we're sorry that that happened.

The New York Times

The Palestinian Authority issued a statement expressing sorrow for the wedding hall disaster and offering assistance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "express sorrow for" with a specific action or gesture that demonstrates your sympathy, such as offering assistance or sending condolences.

Common error

Using "express sorrow for" without genuine feeling can come across as insincere or perfunctory. Ensure your tone and actions align with the words you use to maintain authenticity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express sorrow for" functions as a verb phrase used to communicate feelings of sadness, regret, or sympathy towards a particular event, situation, or person. Ludwig AI indicates its proper usage in conveying emotions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express sorrow for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to convey feelings of sadness, regret, or sympathy. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure sincerity and context alignment. Alternatives include ""convey condolences for"" or ""show regret for"", which can add formality when needed. Be mindful of avoiding insincerity to maintain authenticity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convey condolences for

Replaces "express sorrow" with a more formal term, "convey condolences", specifically related to expressing sympathy for a loss.

show regret for

Substitutes "express sorrow" with "show regret", emphasizing the feeling of remorse or disappointment.

offer sympathy for

Replaces "express sorrow" with "offer sympathy", highlighting the act of providing comfort and support.

lament the loss of

Uses a more formal and poetic expression, "lament the loss of", to convey deep sorrow, typically for a death or significant loss.

mourn the passing of

Employs "mourn the passing of" to specifically refer to grieving for someone who has died.

feel sadness for

Replaces "express sorrow" with "feel sadness", focusing on the emotion experienced.

bemoan the misfortune of

Uses "bemoan the misfortune of" to express sorrow and lament about someone's bad luck or suffering.

deplore the suffering of

Replaces "express sorrow" with "deplore the suffering", indicating a strong disapproval and sorrow for someone's pain.

rue the day

Offers a more dramatic and literary alternative, expressing deep regret about a specific event or time.

take pity on

Shifts the focus to feeling compassion or sorrowful sympathy for someone's situation.

FAQs

How can I use "express sorrow for" in a sentence?

You can use "express sorrow for" to convey feelings of sadness or regret. For example, "I express sorrow for the victims of the tragedy" or "The company expresses sorrow for any inconvenience caused."

What are some alternatives to "express sorrow for"?

Alternatives include "convey condolences for", "show regret for", or "offer sympathy for", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "express sorrow for" in formal writing?

Yes, "express sorrow for" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when conveying condolences or acknowledging a loss. However, consider using a more formal alternative like "convey condolences for" in very formal contexts.

What's the difference between "express sorrow for" and "apologize for"?

"Express sorrow for" conveys sadness or regret about a situation, while "apologize for" indicates taking responsibility and seeking forgiveness for a wrongdoing. You might express sorrow for a natural disaster but "apologize for" a mistake you made.