genuinely sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "genuinely sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express sincere regret or remorse. For example, "I am genuinely sorry for any misunderstanding I may have caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Until she was genuinely sorry.

The New Yorker

He seemed genuinely ashamed, genuinely sorry.

The New Yorker

"I am genuinely sorry," Williams told Buzzfeed.

Independent

I hope people believe I'm genuinely sorry," he says.

Independent

She looks genuinely sorry that I'm leaving her party early.

The Guardian - Music

He was genuinely sorry and contrite for what he did.

The Guardian

And I'm genuinely sorry that I pissed on your lawn.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're appalled and genuinely sorry that this happened," Google said in a statement.

Independent

She added, "I just had every reason to think that . . . he was genuinely sorry".

The New Yorker

"I am genuinely sorry for any upset I may have caused you," he wrote her privately.

The New York Times

"We are genuinely sorry for this failure, which comes down to human error.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "genuinely sorry", ensure your tone matches the sincerity you're trying to convey. Back up your words with actions that demonstrate your regret.

Common error

Avoid using "genuinely sorry" as a mere formality without showing any real change in behavior or attitude. Empty apologies can damage trust further. You must show you are sorry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuinely sorry" functions as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing the sincerity and authenticity of the feeling of being sorry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys sincere regret or remorse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "genuinely sorry" is a common and grammatically correct way to express sincere regret or remorse. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used frequently in news and media to convey authenticity in apologies. To use the expression effectively, align your tone and actions with the sincerity you intend to communicate. Alternatives like "sincerely regretful" or "deeply remorseful" offer different shades of meaning, but "genuinely sorry" remains a versatile and widely understood expression of apology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real sorrow

Uses simple language to convey authentic sadness and regret.

truly apologetic

Highlights the feeling of needing to apologize for an action.

heartfelt apology

Focuses on the emotional sincerity behind the apology.

honestly regret

Highlights the speaker's honesty and the feeling of wishing something hadn't happened.

sincerely regretful

Emphasizes the depth and honesty of the regret.

very sorry indeed

Adds emphasis to the feeling of being sorry.

deeply remorseful

Indicates a profound sense of guilt and sorrow.

most apologetic

This is a formal way to express a strong feeling of needing to apologize.

earnestly contrite

Implies a sincere and profound regret with an intention to atone.

utterly ashamed

Highlights the depth of feeling shame or disgrace.

FAQs

How can I use "genuinely sorry" in a sentence?

You can use "genuinely sorry" to express sincere regret, as in "I am "genuinely sorry" for the mistake I made" or "We are "genuinely sorry" for any inconvenience caused".

What's a more formal alternative to "genuinely sorry"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "sincerely apologetic" or "deeply remorseful" to convey your regret.

Is it better to say "I'm sorry" or "genuinely sorry"?

Saying "I'm sorry" is perfectly acceptable, but adding "genuinely" emphasizes the sincerity of your apology, making it more impactful.

What's the difference between "deeply sorry" and "genuinely sorry"?

Both phrases express a high level of regret. "Deeply sorry" emphasizes the depth of emotion, while "genuinely sorry" stresses the authenticity and sincerity of the apology.