feel regret

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel regret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone is full of regret or sorrow. For example: "She felt regret for not listening to her mother's advice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You may feel regret over "unfinished business" -- conflicts you and the deceased never resolved, or feelings between the two of you that were never fully discussed or shared.

University of California, Berkeley

Would I feel regret?

The New York Times

I still feel regret.

The Guardian - Books

But she does feel regret".

Independent

But I don't feel regret.

The New York Times

Tomorrow she'll wake up and feel regret.

The New Yorker

It's difficult for me to feel regret in that regard.

The New Yorker

But I'm not going to feel regret the rest of my life".

The New Yorker

"Every passing moment I feel regret for joining the peace process".

The New York Times

"We feel regret because his voice can't be heard," Mr. Lin told Reuters on Wednesday.

The New York Times

I feel regret: being a teacher in Myanmar, studying hard for 6 years to get M.Ed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, use "feel regret" to convey empathy and understanding towards characters or subjects. It accurately reflects a common human emotion and can enhance the narrative's emotional depth.

Common error

Avoid using "feel regret" excessively in situations where a more nuanced emotion might be appropriate. For example, instead of saying someone "felt regret" over a minor inconvenience, consider alternatives like "slight disappointment" or "mild annoyance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel regret" functions as a verb phrase, where "feel" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the noun "regret". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of "feel regret" reveals it to be a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse contexts, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it effectively conveys sorrow or remorse. Related phrases such as "experience remorse" or "have misgivings" offer nuanced alternatives, while practical writing guidance advises against overuse in overly dramatic scenarios. Overall, "feel regret" is a valuable expression for conveying emotional depth and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience remorse

Emphasizes a deep sense of guilt and responsibility for a wrongdoing, stronger than simply feeling regret.

have misgivings

Suggests a feeling of doubt or apprehension about a past action or decision.

be filled with sorrow

Focuses on the deep sadness associated with a loss or disappointment.

lament the past

Implies a public expression of grief or regret over something that has happened.

rue the day

Expresses intense regret for a specific event or decision, wishing it had never happened.

have cause for sorrow

Highlights the reason or justification for feeling sadness or regret.

agonize over

Emphasizes the mental anguish and worry associated with a past mistake or decision.

be contrite

Highlights a feeling of genuine remorse and willingness to atone for wrongdoing.

mourn the loss

Specifically refers to grieving over something that has been lost, which can include opportunities or relationships.

deplore actions

Expresses strong disapproval and regret regarding certain actions.

FAQs

How can I use "feel regret" in a sentence?

You can use "feel regret" to describe a sensation of sorrow or remorse about something. For example: "She "felt regret" for her harsh words" or "He will "feel regret" if he doesn't apologize".

What's the difference between "feel regret" and "have regrets"?

"Feel regret" describes the immediate sensation of remorse, while "have regrets" implies a longer-term state of harboring remorse about past events. One is a feeling, the other is a state of being.

What can I say instead of "feel regret"?

You can use alternatives like "experience remorse", "have misgivings", or "be filled with sorrow" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "felt regretful" instead of "feel regret"?

While "felt regretful" is grammatically correct, "feel regret" is a more direct and commonly used expression to convey the emotion. "Regretful" is an adjective, whereas "feel regret" uses the verb "feel" with the noun "regret".