it is highly regrettable

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It is highly regrettable the Heartland Institute, which has sought balance at its own global warming conferences by opening the doors to global warming believers, has chosen to demonize this point of view.

The Washington Post

Solberg said: "It is highly regrettable that Facebook has removed a post from my Facebook page.

The Guardian - Tech

"It is highly regrettable that a Dutch parliamentarian is refused entry to another EU country," he said in a statement.

Independent

"It is highly regrettable that the ACMD took it upon itself to make what should have been a political judgment," says the report.

The Guardian

"It is highly regrettable that a jirga of peaceful citizens, including elders of the area, was carelessly and callously targeted with complete disregard to human life," the statement said.

The New York Times

"It is highly regrettable that testing of the facial matching technology employed by the police does not appear to have occurred prior to the searchable national database of custody photographs going live," the committee's report says.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Tam said it was "highly regrettable" that Kovtun had made his application "so late in the day".

The Guardian

Solberg said it was "highly regrettable" that the technology corporation had meddled with her Facebook page – an attempt, she wrote, to "edit our common history".

The Guardian - Tech

Yesterday Lord Justice Rose said it was "highly regrettable" that Judge Michael Coombe had fallen asleep, but it did not render the conviction unsafe.

The Guardian

It was "highly regrettable" that a more thorough police investigation had not been carried out at the time, the coroner said.

The Guardian

On the eve of his four-day visit to Russia, Mr. Koizumi said it was "highly regrettable" that two members of the Group of Eight industrial nations did not have a peace treaty or an agreed-upon border.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is highly regrettable", ensure the context is clear about what is causing the regret. Follow the phrase with a specific explanation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is highly regrettable" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and stilted in such situations. Opt for simpler expressions like "it's a shame" or "that's too bad".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is highly regrettable" functions as an evaluative statement expressing disappointment or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating its role in constructing well-formed sentences to convey a negative sentiment about a particular event or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is highly regrettable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to formally express disappointment or disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts such as news reports, business communications, and official statements. While versatile, its formality makes it less appropriate for casual conversation, where simpler alternatives like "it's a shame" might be preferable. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, demonstrating its professional usage. Remember to use it when you need to convey a serious and considered tone, but avoid overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is deeply regrettable

Emphasizes the depth of regret felt.

it is greatly regrettable

Highlights the magnitude of the regret.

it is extremely regrettable

Similar to "highly" but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

it is very regrettable

A more straightforward and common way to express regret.

it is unfortunate

A milder expression of disappointment.

it is a matter of regret

Phrases it as an issue causing regret.

it is disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment.

i regret to say

Directly expresses the speaker's regret.

i am sorry to say

Similar to "I regret to say", conveying sorrow.

it is a pity

A more informal way of expressing regret or disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "it is highly regrettable" in a sentence?

Use "it is highly regrettable" to express strong disappointment or disapproval about a specific situation. For example, "It is highly regrettable that the negotiations failed to produce an agreement".

What phrases can I use instead of "it is highly regrettable"?

You can use alternatives like "it is deeply regrettable", "it is very regrettable", or "it is unfortunate" depending on the context and level of formality.

What is the difference between "it is highly regrettable" and "it is regrettable"?

Adding "highly" intensifies the feeling of regret, making "it is highly regrettable" a stronger expression of disappointment than simply "it is regrettable".

Is "it is highly regrettable" suitable for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "it is highly regrettable" is generally too formal for casual conversations. Simpler expressions like "it is a shame" or that's too bad are more appropriate in informal settings.