it regrets that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it regrets that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts to express sorrow or disappointment about a situation. Example: "The organization regrets that it cannot accommodate your request at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The company managing the major tourist attraction "thanked the public for its understanding" and said it "regrets that visitors... are being punished".

BBC

In a terse statement explaining its response, the International Olympic Committee said it "regrets that political statements were made during the closing ceremony of the torch relay in Tibet".

The New York Times

In a reply sent to these people, the F.D.A. said that "in hindsight," it "regrets that no toxicologist participated in the meeting".

The New York Times

A spokesman for VW said it did not know how many affected cars had been sold during the period but that it "regrets" that customers had bought them and would now have to get their vehicles fixed.

The Guardian - Business

The university also released a statement saying it "regrets that any celebration of the day may have been diminished" by the incidents.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Kraft responded to the panel's criticism by saying it regretted that "it was not feasible to keep Somerdale open, as we'd originally believed possible.

The New York Times

Nor does it regret that phone's off-beat naming convention, chosen because "T" is "one more" than the standard smartphone suffix "S" (because OnePlus).

TechCrunch

The board said in its statement that it regretted that the media had focused exclusively on Mr. Putin when the award has four recipients annually.

The New York Times

Putnam said it regretted that market timing had occurred in its funds.

The New York Times

BMW said yesterday that it regretted that people had died as a result of Cooper.

Independent

The court said it regretted that it had taken 10 years to bring all the attackers to justice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it regrets that" in formal communications or statements where expressing disappointment or sorrow is necessary. Ensure that the subject 'it' clearly refers to an organization or entity.

Common error

Ensure that the 'it' in "it regrets that" clearly refers to a defined entity (e.g. a company, organization, or institution) rather than an individual. Otherwise, rephrase to use the appropriate subject (e.g. 'I regret that').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it regrets that" functions as a formal expression of disappointment or sorrow on behalf of an organization or entity. Ludwig AI examples show it used in official statements by companies and institutions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it regrets that" is a phrase used to formally express sorrow or disappointment on behalf of an organization or entity. Ludwig AI examples, primarily from News & Media sources, highlight its use in official statements and communications. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to ensure the subject 'it' clearly refers to the appropriate organization. Alternatives like "it is regrettable that" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality. Ludwig AI notes that this phrase is typically used in formal contexts to express sorrow or disappointment about a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is regrettable that

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the situation.

it is unfortunate that

Highlights the bad luck associated with the situation.

it is a matter of regret that

Formal phrasing, emphasizing the feeling of remorse.

it is lamentable that

Highlights the mournful or sorrowful aspect of the situation.

it is disappointing that

Focuses on the feeling of letdown.

it deplores that

Strongly disapproves of and regrets the situation.

it is a pity that

Expresses sorrow or compassion over the situation.

it is with regret that

Formally introduces an expression of sorrow.

it is a shame that

Expresses a sense of disappointment or disapproval.

it is sorry that

Direct expression of sorrow.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "it regrets that"?

A more formal alternative to "it regrets that" is "it is regrettable that". This phrasing adds a layer of formality suitable for official statements or communications.

Can I use "it regrets that" when speaking on behalf of an individual?

No, "it regrets that" is typically used when an organization or entity is expressing regret. For an individual, use "I regret that" or "he/she regrets that".

What's the difference between "it regrets that" and "it apologizes that"?

"It regrets that" expresses sorrow or disappointment about a situation, while "it apologizes that" indicates taking responsibility and asking for forgiveness. They are used in different contexts depending on whether the entity is admitting fault or simply expressing sorrow.

What can I say instead of "it regrets that" to sound less formal?

To sound less formal, you can use "it is unfortunate that" or "it is a shame that". These alternatives are more suitable for casual conversations or less official communications.