expressing remorse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressing remorse" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing feelings of regret or sorrow for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: "He was expressing remorse for his actions during the meeting." Alternative expressions include "showing regret" and "demonstrating contrition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bieber has been mindfully expressing remorse for most of 2015.

The New Yorker

Petitioner also voluntarily wrote a letter to a jail officer admitting the killing and expressing remorse.

Cornell University

Li made a poor impression in court and seemed incapable of expressing remorse.

The New Yorker

He painted himself as a man culpable but also wronged, expressing remorse over the losses.

The Guardian

Mr. Berkowitz, 49, recently wrote a letter to Gov. George E. Pataki expressing remorse.

The New York Times

However, he stopped short of admitting any wrongdoing, apologising for his actions, or expressing remorse.

The Guardian

They appear to be more interested in seeking understanding than in expressing remorse.

The New York Times - Arts

"I note that overnight he's made comments apologising for what he's done and expressing remorse for his actions.

The Guardian - Sport

In a statement expressing remorse, he said: "I want to say that I'm sorry for what I did.

The Guardian

It has apologised many times for its brutal past, but only in vague terms, expressing "remorse" for ill-defined damage.

The Economist

Try to imagine Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or North Korea's Kim Jong-il, or Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe expressing remorse and resigning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with concrete evidence in formal writing, such as letters or court statements, to provide weight to the claim of contrition.

Common error

Do not use "expressing remorse" for events outside of one's control (e.g., "expressing remorse for the rainy weather"). Remorse requires personal agency and a sense of moral failing. For unfortunate circumstances where you are not at fault, use "expressing regret" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressing remorse" functions as a gerund-participle phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the object of a preposition (e.g., "focused on... ") or as a participial modifier describing the state of a subject. It is highly productive in describing the behavior of public figures or defendants.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expressing remorse" is a robust and highly frequent expression used to describe the act of vocalizing or demonstrating deep regret for a moral or legal wrongdoing. Ludwig analysis shows a strong concentration in high-quality journalistic and legal sources, indicating its reliability in formal communication. It is distinct from simple regret in that it implies a personal admission of fault and a moral burden. Writers should use this phrase when they want to emphasize the psychological and ethical weight of a person's apology. Alternatives like "showing contrition" can be used to vary the tone, but "expressing remorse" remains the standard for describing a public or formal admission of guilt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showing contrition

Focuses more on the visible or demonstrable state of being penitent

demonstrating penitence

Carries a more formal or occasionally religious connotation

expressing penitence

A highly formal variation often found in older literature or religious texts

vocalizing regret

Emphasizes the act of speaking the feeling rather than just feeling it

showing regret

Slightly less intense; regret can apply to unfortunate events without moral culpability

acknowledging guilt

Focuses on the legal or factual admission rather than the emotional state

admitting wrongdoing

A straightforward admission of an act that was incorrect or illegal

offering an apology

Describes a transactional act of communication which may or may not include remorse

conceding fault

Used more in logical or administrative contexts to admit a mistake occurred

asking for forgiveness

Shifts the focus from the speaker's state to a request for a response from others

FAQs

How do I use "expressing remorse" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's emotional state after a mistake, for example: "The defendant was "showing contrition" while "expressing remorse" for his actions during the trial."

What is the difference between "expressing remorse" and "regretting"?

While both involve feeling bad about the past, "expressing remorse" implies taking moral responsibility for an action, whereas "feeling regret" can apply to anything you wish had happened differently, even if you weren't responsible.

Is "expressing remorse" a formal phrase?

Yes, it is common in professional, legal, and news contexts. For a less formal setting, you might say someone is "feeling really sorry".

What can I say instead of "expressing remorse" in a legal context?

In legal writing, you might see phrases like "demonstrating contrition" or "admitting liability", depending on whether the focus is on emotion or law.