it's regrettable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's regrettable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disappointment or sorrow about a situation or event. Example: "It's regrettable that we couldn't reach an agreement during the negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

David Cameron's official spokeswoman said: "It's regrettable if they are going to strike again.

The Guardian

"It's regrettable that the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office has decided to charge its local Korean brokerage unit, Deutsche Securities Korea (DSK)," the bank said in the statement.

The New York Times

It's regrettable, given the overall demographics of the show's audience, that it had to be a man with power tools that broke the show's decorated box.

The New Yorker

Mark C. Reed, Verizon's executive vice president of human resources, said, "It's regrettable for our employees and our customers" that the two unions "have decided to walk away from the table instead of continuing to work through the issues".

The New York Times

Of course it's regrettable.

The Guardian

"I just think it's regrettable.

The New York Times

I think that it's regrettable; it's despicable".

The New York Times

"It's regrettable, but there's so much demand".

The New York Times

Gosh, it's regrettable that the markets aren't confirming my warnings!

The New York Times

It's regrettable, it's stupid, but there it is.

The Guardian

"It's regrettable what the religious right is doing," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's regrettable" to express disappointment or disapproval in formal contexts, especially when conveying a sense of politeness or diplomacy. This is particularly useful in professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it's regrettable" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "it's a shame" or "it's too bad" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's regrettable" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a negative judgment or assessment of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for expressing disappointment or sorrow, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's regrettable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express disappointment or sorrow, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its prevalence in news and business contexts indicates a neutral to formal register. When writing, using the phrase can add a polite, diplomatic tone to the statement. While "it's regrettable" is a strong substitute, consider alternatives such as "it's unfortunate" or "it's a pity" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's unfortunate

Emphasizes bad luck or a negative outcome, subtly shifting focus from personal regret to external circumstances.

it's regrettable to say

Adds emphasis on the speaker's reluctance or difficulty in expressing the regrettable statement.

it's a pity

A more colloquial expression of regret, suitable for informal contexts.

it's a shame

Highlights the loss or missed opportunity associated with the situation.

I regret to say

Changes from impersonal to personal regret while retaining the core meaning.

it's disappointing

Focuses on the unmet expectations or failed hopes related to the situation.

it's a matter of regret

Changes the grammatical construction while keeping the core expression unchanged.

it's lamentable

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing regret, suggesting deep sorrow or disapproval.

it is a cause for sorrow

Emphasizes the sadness or grief associated with the situation.

it's a source of disappointment

Highlights the feeling of letdown or dissatisfaction caused by the situation.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "it's regrettable"?

The phrase "it's regrettable" is suitable for expressing disappointment or disapproval in formal settings, such as professional emails, official statements, or news reports. It conveys a sense of politeness and diplomacy.

What are some alternatives to "it's regrettable"?

Alternatives to "it's regrettable" include "it's unfortunate", "it's a pity", and "it's disappointing". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality.

How does "it's regrettable" differ from "I regret"?

"It's regrettable" is an impersonal expression, focusing on the situation itself. "I regret" is a personal statement, indicating the speaker's own feelings of sorrow or disappointment. Using "I regret" can be more direct, while "it's regrettable" maintains a degree of detachment.

Can "it's regrettable" be used in positive contexts?

No, "it's regrettable" is generally used to express negative sentiments, such as disappointment, disapproval, or sorrow. It is not appropriate for positive or celebratory contexts.