feel regret for

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel regret for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to express regret for a certain action or situation. For example: "I feel regret for the way I handled the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Yet, when it came to the post-mortem of his role in Iraq, he insisted that he did not feel "regret for removing Saddam Hussein".

The New York Times

After Mr. Blair said he accepted "responsibility" and regretted the divisions the war had caused in Britain, but did not feel "regret for removing Saddam Hussein," decorum in the hearing room briefly collapsed.

The New York Times

Or more tellingly, as removed from empathic distress as the message sent to the next of kin, after an official knock on the door: "The Secretary of Defense regrets to inform you that…." Indeed, the soldiers I've talked to, involved in friendly fire accidents that took their comrades' lives, didn't feel regret for what happened, but raw, deep, unabashed guilt.

The New York Times

On the other hand, it is possible to feel regret for a bad outcome even in the absence of a reason for self-blame because the decision was made carefully, was well informed, and was therefore justified (Connolly & Zeelenberg, 2002; Crawford, McConnell, Lewis, & Sherman, 2002).

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

First, we need to recognize our errors and feel regret for them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In some ways, I felt regret for not being there, for sitting on the "wrong" side of the screen.

The New York Times

Just as many respondents expressed regret for something they had done as those who felt regret for something they had not done.

The New York Times

Had I not felt regret for the nice new furniture and carpet in the House of Representatives, I would not even have noticed the rude, but perhaps comfortable, position of the feet raised by a son of the plains above the head of his neighbor, and the nasty habit many Americans have of chewing tobacco.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After the attack, more than any superstitious sense of guilt, I felt regret for my aestheticizing vainglory and my failure to appreciate what, even in its obnoxiousness, had grown deeply rooted into and inextricably intertwined with the life of the city — and, as I quickly understood, had even exemplified it.

The New Yorker

Prisoners who commit generous acts toward dying fellow inmates awaken to their own capacity for love and, in the process, come to feel regret and compassion for those they have harmed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel regret for", ensure the object of regret is clearly stated. For instance, specify "I feel regret for my actions" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "feel regret" when a stronger verb like "regret" alone suffices. Instead of "I feel regret for leaving", a more concise "I regret leaving" often improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel regret for" functions as a verb phrase, expressing an emotional state in relation to a specific action, event, or situation. It describes the experience of remorse or sorrow. Examples show it's used to convey personal feelings about past actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel regret for" is a grammatically sound way to express remorse or sorrow, as affirmed by Ludwig. While not exceedingly common, it is certainly usable in various contexts. It functions as a verb phrase, often found in News & Media and Science publications, used to convey personal feelings about past actions or decisions. When writing, ensure the object of regret is clearly stated to avoid any ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "be sorry for" or "have regrets about" to diversify your expression. Remember, a more concise “I regret” often improves clarity over "I feel regret for". Overall, understanding the nuance and alternatives enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sorry for

A more direct and simple way to express regret.

have regrets about

Changes the verb from "feel" to "have" and uses "about" instead of "for".

bitterly regret

Adds the adverb "bitterly" to emphasize the intensity of the regret.

express remorse for

Replaces "regret" with "remorse" and "feel" with "express", indicating a more formal articulation of regret.

be filled with regret over

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the feeling of regret overwhelming someone.

lament

A single-word synonym that implies a strong feeling of sorrow or regret.

deplore

A formal term for expressing strong disapproval or regret.

have cause to regret

Suggests that there are valid reasons for experiencing regret.

rue the day

An idiomatic expression indicating deep regret about a specific event or decision.

repent of

Implies a more profound and moralistic regret, often associated with religious contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "feel regret for" in a sentence?

Use "feel regret for" to express sorrow or remorse about something. For example, "I "feel regret for" the mistakes I made".

What can I say instead of "feel regret for"?

You can use alternatives like "be sorry for", "have regrets about", or "express remorse for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I feel regret about"?

While understandable, "I feel regret about" is less common than "I "feel regret for"". The latter is generally considered more grammatically standard.

What's the difference between "feel regret for" and "regret"?

"Feel regret for" emphasizes the emotion, while "regret" can be a verb or noun. Saying "I regret my decision" is more concise than "I "feel regret for" my decision".