gravely regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely regret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a deep or serious sense of remorse or sorrow about a situation or action. Example: "I gravely regret the decision I made, as it has caused significant harm to others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not knowing for sure what, if anything, this particular man took, I could only try and make sure he was safe and didn't do anything he might later gravely regret, like giving away all of his money to strangers in the food court.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

With a sigh of regret, the farmer gravely stated that he couldn't make enough profit to pay for painkillers.

Huffington Post

Inspired by the regret expressed by his gravely ill father that he would never again walk on Tibetan soil, the artist Tenzing Rigdol decided to arrange for the earth instead to be taken to those Tibetans living in exile.

Independent

The leaders' public remarks were limited almost entirely to banter about the Olympics, though Mr. Hu somberly expressed regret for an assault on Saturday that killed an American visitor and gravely wounded his wife at the Drum Tower, one of Beijing's landmarks.

The New York Times - Sports

His friend nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

The girls nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

Small urchins angle gravely,.

The New Yorker

"Moke," it pronounced gravely.

The New Yorker

Thus filmmakers philosophize gravely".

The New Yorker

The girl watched her gravely.

The New Yorker

Most were not gravely concerned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely regret" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and depth of your regret, especially in formal contexts or when the consequences are significant.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely regret" in casual conversations. Its formal tone may sound unnatural or overly dramatic in everyday situations. Opt for simpler expressions of regret like "really sorry" or "I regret that" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely regret" functions as an expression of deep remorse or sorrow. Ludwig's analysis confirms its use in contexts where the speaker or writer wishes to convey a serious sense of regret, often about a decision or action with significant consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gravely regret" is a phrase used to express a deep and serious sense of remorse. As confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, it's grammatically correct and most appropriately used in formal contexts, particularly within news and media. While effective for conveying sincerity, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in informal situations. Alternatives like "deeply lament" or "sincerely rue" can offer similar levels of intensity while providing subtle variations in tone. Ludwig's data also suggests it is important to remember to avoid overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply lament

Replaces "regret" with "lament", implying a more public or expressed sorrow.

feel deep remorse

Expresses the feeling of remorse explicitly, rather than implying it through "regret".

sincerely rue

Substitutes "regret" with "rue", suggesting a feeling of bitterness and sorrow.

bitterly deplore

Uses "deplore" instead of "regret", indicating strong disapproval and sorrow.

severely deplore

Emphasizes the intensity of disapproval, similar to 'bitterly deplore'.

deplore deeply

Similar to "bitterly deplore" with the adjective placed after the verb for emphasis.

profoundly grieve

Replaces "regret" with "grieve", emphasizing the emotional pain and sorrow.

earnestly repent

Suggests a strong desire to atone for something one regrets.

have strong misgivings about

Focuses on the feeling of apprehension and doubt rather than direct regret.

sorrowfully acknowledge

Implies a formal acceptance of something regrettable with a sense of sorrow.

FAQs

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

You can use "gravely regret" to express a deep and serious sense of remorse. For instance, "I "gravely regret" my decision to ignore the warning signs."

What is the difference between "gravely regret" and "deeply regret"?

Both "gravely regret" and "deeply regret" convey strong remorse, but "gravely regret" suggests a more serious and formal context, emphasizing the significant consequences of the regretted action. "Deeply regret" is more commonly used in everyday scenarios.

Are there situations where "gravely regret" would not be appropriate?

Yes, using "gravely regret" in casual or trivial situations can sound overly dramatic or insincere. It is best suited for formal settings or when discussing matters of significant importance.

What are some alternatives to "gravely regret" that maintain a similar level of formality?

Alternatives include "sincerely rue", "bitterly deplore", or "profoundly grieve". These options offer a similar level of intensity while varying the specific nuance of remorse.