feeling regretful

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling regretful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state or emotion that someone is experiencing. It is often used to express remorse or sadness over something that has happened in the past. Example: Sarah couldn't stop feeling regretful about her decision to drop out of college.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A defeat by Liu in the Olympics would leave all of China feeling "regretful and pitiful" for him, but appreciative of his past accomplishments, Zhou said, speaking through an interpreter.

The New York Times - Sports

The lyrics describes a woman feeling regretful of loving a man who does not know what love is.

Wikipedia

For example, waking up and feeling regretful of last nights events is not going to help you at all.

Huffington Post

The Global Drug Survey did not ask why those who reported feeling regretful or guilty felt that way; the questions in the alcohol section of the survey related to this data come from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Vice

Don't waste time feeling regretful or guilty.

WikiHow

You're not the only one feeling regretful about something.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

At this stage of the game, I don't feel regretful very often, but this week, I found myself back in the same old feelings of days long gone.

Huffington Post

I do feel regretful".

The New York Times

I feel regretful.

The New Yorker

They feel regretful, not guilty, about apartheid.

The New York Times

People can feel regretful for a number of reasons.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "experiencing regret" or "expressing remorse" for a slightly more polished tone.

Common error

Do not use "feeling regrettable" to describe a person's emotions. "Regrettable" refers to an external situation or event that causes sadness (e.g., "a regrettable incident"), whereas "regretful" describes the person experiencing that sadness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling regretful" acts as a participle phrase that serves to modify a subject or function as a subjective complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently follows a linking verb or appears at the beginning of a sentence to establish the subject's emotional context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling regretful" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to describe the experience of remorse or sorrow over past actions. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in reputable news outlets and scientific journals, highlighting its versatility. Unlike "regrettable", which describes situations, "feeling regretful" is strictly for describing human emotions. It functions as a bridge between simple regret and deep remorse, providing a clear window into a character's or individual's mindset. When writing, ensure that you provide context for what is being regretted to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling remorseful

Suggests a deeper sense of guilt or moral distress regarding a specific wrongdoing.

experiencing regret

More formal and focuses on the mental process of regretting rather than just the emotion.

filled with remorse

Stronger imagery suggesting the individual is consumed by the feeling.

full of regret

A more intensive expression, indicating that the emotion is overwhelming or pervasive.

feeling sorry

A common, more colloquial way to express the same sentiment.

feeling rueful

Often implies a slight sense of irony or self-pity alongside the regret.

lamenting a choice

Focuses on the outward expression of grief or dissatisfaction with a past decision.

feeling contrite

Emphasizes the desire for reconciliation or making amends.

feeling penitent

Carries a religious or moral connotation of seeking forgiveness.

feeling guilty

While related, this specifically targets the sense of having done something wrong.

FAQs

How to use "feeling regretful" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person's state, for example: "After the argument, he was left "feeling regretful" about the harsh words he used."

What can I say instead of "feeling regretful"?

Depending on the intensity, you could use "feeling remorseful", "feeling sorry", or "full of regret".

Is it "feeling regretful" or "feeling regrettable"?

""feeling regretful"" is correct when describing an emotion. "Regrettable" is used for situations, such as "it is a "regrettable situation"".

What is the difference between "feeling regretful" and "feeling guilty"?

""feeling regretful"" is the sadness over a lost opportunity or a past choice, while "feeling guilty" implies you believe you have committed a moral or legal wrong.