it is very regrettable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is very 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 very regrettable that we could not reach an agreement during the negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"It is very regrettable to hear this," he added.

The New York Times

"It is very regrettable indeed and I apologize".

The New York Times

It is very regrettable that an MP would want to take money from people who cause so much misery to constituents".

Independent

It is essentially a civil service process and, as I say, it is very regrettable that those comments and views were aired at that meeting".

The Guardian

"It is very regrettable that Labour should use divisive tactics and should be setting up one part of the country against another.

The Guardian

"It is very regrettable that North Korea is spending enormous resources on developing nuclear and missile capabilities while ignoring the urgent welfare issue of the North Korean people," said its foreign minister, Kim Sung-hwan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It's very regrettable that it's come to this.

Independent

Hu Jia, an outspoken Beijing activist, said it was "very regrettable" that Osborne failed to publicly raise concerns over a severe political crackdown that is unfolding in China.

The Guardian - Business

I think it's very regrettable that Mr Shorten... has potentially put at risk our capacity to develop a broad community consensus".

The Guardian

"It was very regrettable that D.P.R.K. authorities cancelled my visit to Kaesong Industrial Complex at the last minute," the Secretary-General told me on Thursday.

The New Yorker

There are some divisions in the Republican party, we've had them in the past … it's very regrettable because our adversary is not each other and we will probably have to go through discussion and debate".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is very regrettable" to express disappointment or sorrow in formal contexts. It is suitable for news reports, official statements, and academic writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "it is very regrettable" in casual conversations or informal writing can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "it's a shame" or "that's too bad" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is very regrettable" functions as an expression of disappointment or sorrow. It typically introduces a statement about an unfortunate situation. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage in expressing regret or disappointment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is very regrettable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express disappointment or sorrow, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is particularly common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it is most appropriate for formal settings. Ludwig provides various examples of its use in reputable sources, affirming its acceptability in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is indeed regrettable

Adds "indeed" for emphasis while maintaining the same structure and meaning.

It is deeply regrettable

Replaces "very" with "deeply" to intensify the feeling of regret.

It's quite unfortunate

Changes "very regrettable" to "quite unfortunate", altering the intensity slightly.

It's highly unfortunate

Substitutes "very regrettable" with "highly unfortunate", keeping a similar level of formality.

I find it regrettable

Changes the sentence structure, emphasizing the speaker's personal feeling.

It is disappointing

Replaces "regrettable" with "disappointing", focusing on the feeling of disappointment.

It's a matter of regret

Transforms the phrase into a more formal expression.

It is a pity

Replaces the entire phrase with a shorter, more common expression of regret.

I regret to say

Shifts the focus to the speaker's feeling of regret.

It's a shame

Uses a more informal expression to convey a similar sentiment.

FAQs

What does "it is very regrettable" mean?

The phrase "it is very regrettable" means that something is disappointing or unfortunate. It's a formal way of expressing sorrow or regret about a situation.

When should I use "it is very regrettable"?

Use "it is very regrettable" in formal settings such as news reports, official statements, or academic writing. It conveys a sense of disappointment in a serious or professional manner.

What can I say instead of "it is very regrettable"?

You can use alternatives like "it is unfortunate", "it is a pity", or "it is disappointing depending on the context".

Is "it is very regrettable" formal or informal?

"It is very regrettable" is considered a formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "it is a shame" or "that is too bad" are more appropriate.