expressed regret

USAGE SUMMARY

"expressed regret" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is feeling sorry about something, or that they regret something that happened. For example: "The man expressed regret for not being able to help the family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also expressed regret.

The New York Times

He expressed regret.

The New York Times

Later, Mr. Obasanjo expressed regret.

The New York Times

Mrs. Clinton has expressed regret.

The New York Times

Armstrong expressed regret, not sorrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Israel expressed "regret" over the incident.

The Economist

Nonetheless, he expressed regret for what ensued.

The New York Times

Not one expressed regret or sadness.

The Guardian - Sport

The Qataris expressed "regret and surprise".

The Economist

Chelsea later expressed regret over the incident.

The Guardian - Sport

A few Democrats also expressed regret.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expressed regret", ensure the context clearly indicates what the regret pertains to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "expressed regret" in vague situations. Always specify the action, event, or decision that caused the regret. For instance, instead of saying "He expressed regret", say "He expressed regret for his actions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressed regret" functions as a declarative expression, indicating that someone has verbally communicated their feelings of sorrow or remorse regarding a particular event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expressed regret" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for conveying feelings of sorrow or remorse. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase. As evidenced by the variety of examples, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, clarity is crucial; always specify the subject of regret to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "offered an apology" or "voiced remorse" to add nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "expressed regret" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voiced remorse

Replaces "regret" with "remorse", emphasizing a deeper sense of guilt.

conveyed sorrow

Uses "sorrow" instead of "regret", highlighting the sadness felt.

offered an apology

Focuses on the act of apologizing, which often accompanies expressing regret.

lamented the situation

Emphasizes the act of mourning or expressing grief over the situation.

showed contrition

Highlights the feeling of being penitent or remorseful.

acknowledged fault

Focuses on admitting responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing.

expressed disappointment

Indicates a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction.

shared grief

Focuses on the expression of sorrow, usually in relation to somebody else's suffering.

registered disapproval

Indicates a feeling of not accepting something or considering something good.

communicated compunction

Replaces "regret" with "compunction", emphasizing a feeling of guilt that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

FAQs

How do you use "expressed regret" in a sentence?

You can use "expressed regret" to indicate that someone feels sorry about something. For example, "The CEO expressed regret for the company's environmental impact."

What's a formal way to say "expressed regret"?

Formal alternatives include "acknowledged fault", "conveyed sorrow", or "voiced remorse".

What can I say instead of "expressed regret"?

You can use alternatives like "offered an apology", "lamented the situation", or "showed contrition" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "expressed regret" or "apologized"?

While both convey remorse, "apologized" is more direct and implies taking responsibility. "Expressed regret" can be a softer way of acknowledging wrongdoing without a full apology.