however regrettable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however regrettable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge an unfortunate situation or outcome while introducing a contrasting point or statement. Example: "The decision to cut funding was, however regrettable, necessary for the sustainability of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Above all, and however regrettable it may be, most of the 43% of European voters who actually voted did so on a national basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

However regrettable it is to reinforce male and female stereotypes, he said, Web sites selling technical goods would be well advised to consider male voices for their sites.

The New York Times - Tech

Eliot scholars had long known of his weakness for the scurrilous and the racist; it was, however regrettable, part of the scenery.

The New Yorker

"I'm scared of a society in which freedom of expression, however regrettable it may be, can lead to jail sentences," Lucia Carrero Blanco wrote.

The Guardian

In a characteristically deft addition, Macintyre quotes the judgment of the appeal court in the case of one of his victims: "Discourtesy, even gross discourtesy, to counsel, however regrettable, could not be a ground for quashing a conviction".

The Guardian - Books

Frederick Laberge, a spokesman for Aetna, said in a statement that "we do not believe a court would permit a lawsuit over events which -- however regrettable -- occurred hundreds of years ago".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

That is still regrettable.

The Economist

There is, however, a regrettable shortage of both, intrinsic to the development of thoroughbred race horses.

The New York Times - Sports

However, many regrettable consequences ensue when motivation is not addressed in design.

Educational Psychologist

We did, however, make the regrettable decision to urinate in the grass behind the building.

The Guardian - Sport

What's regrettable, however, is that most of these ballets have been simplified to make their Romanticism more sentimental or their dances more academically acrobatic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "however regrettable", ensure the sentence maintains a balanced tone. The contrasting element should be as significant as the acknowledged negative.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "however regrettable" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unfortunately" or "it's a shame" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however regrettable" functions as an adverbial modifier that acknowledges and qualifies a preceding statement. It serves to concede a negative aspect while typically introducing a contrasting element or justification. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however regrettable" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for acknowledging negative aspects while introducing contrasting perspectives. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its purpose is to mitigate the impact of negative information. It is most often found in news and media, and business contexts. For more casual communication, simpler alternatives such as "unfortunately" are available. When writing, ensure the sentence's tone is appropriate for the context and maintain a balanced presentation of the acknowledged negative and contrasting element. While versatile, "however regrettable" usage should depend on the context as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although regrettable

Directly acknowledges the regrettable aspect, similar to the original.

while regrettable

Similar to "although regrettable", but implies a simultaneous action or state.

albeit regrettable

More formal and emphasizes the regret associated with the situation.

though unfortunate

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the situation with a simple conjunction.

even if regrettable

Highlights a condition of regret, regardless of other factors.

unfortunately, but

Replaces "however regrettable" with a more common synonym, "unfortunately".

regrettably, though

Inverts the structure, placing "regrettably" first for emphasis.

sadly, yet

Uses "sadly" to convey a sense of sorrow, akin to regret.

despite its unfortunate nature

More formal way of conveying the regrettable aspect.

even though it's a shame

Expresses regret more conversationally and indirectly.

FAQs

How can I use "however regrettable" in a sentence?

You can use "however regrettable" to acknowledge a negative aspect or outcome, and then introduce a contrasting or mitigating factor. For example: "The budget cuts were, "however regrettable", necessary to ensure the company's long-term stability."

What are some alternatives to "however regrettable"?

Some alternatives to "however regrettable" include "unfortunately", "regrettably", "though unfortunate", or "albeit regrettable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "however regrettable" formal or informal?

"However regrettable" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "it's a shame" or "that's too bad" might be more appropriate.

Can I start a sentence with "however regrettable"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence directly with "however regrettable" is less common. It's generally smoother to incorporate it within the sentence, often after the initial subject or clause.