kind of regrettable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of regrettable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild sense of disappointment or sorrow about a situation or event. Example: "It's kind of regrettable that we couldn't attend the concert last night due to the weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Indeed, mass killings have been treated as the kind of regrettable but ultimately understandable tragedies that are inevitable in a diverse nation.

The New York Times

A 21-7 loss to the Cardinals, packed with penalties and blunders, was the kind of regrettable game that remains vivid on the backs of eyelids.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone has had some kind of regrettable stage in their lives, whether it was a weird haircut, a bad relationship, or a year-long out of control obsession with knitting (yes, all three, me).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This Trump campaign has produced all kinds of regrettable firsts this season (regular outbursts of violence at rallies, for starters).

Huffington Post

It impedes change and opens the door to frustration and the kind of political tension and regrettable violence - including tragic deaths - that have recently affected our country.

The Guardian

"We need to start doing some grass-roots intervention with respect to the problem and not greet it every year with 'It's a regrettable development' kind of an attitude," he said.

The New York Times

In that moment there is no one as lonely, lovelorn, and unlovable as you; and yet this feeling of hopelessness mixes, oddly, with a perverse kind of hope, of resistance to the regrettable physical facts, and you're filled with the desire to write something, to go back to your room and be like Flaubert, solitary and misanthropic and a God-damned genius.

The New Yorker

But a total rewrite was required, as their relationship has a regrettable lack of the kind of divisive issues that would lead to increasingly hilarious misunderstandings.

The New Yorker

Truth be told, there were a number of regrettable omissions.

The New Yorker

Ms. Alexander makes a couple of regrettable mistakes.

The New York Times

It was another in a long line of regrettable moves by the Pirates.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of regrettable" to express a mild degree of disappointment or regret without sounding overly negative or critical. It's useful in situations where a stronger expression would be inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of regrettable" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound weak or indecisive. Vary your expressions to maintain reader engagement and convey your intended sentiment more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of regrettable" functions as an adjectival modifier, softening the impact of the adjective "regrettable". It expresses a mild sense of disappointment or misfortune, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of regrettable" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English used to express a mild sense of disappointment or sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, be mindful not to overuse the phrase, and consider more formal alternatives, such as "somewhat unfortunate", in academic or professional settings. The phrase serves to soften negative sentiments and acknowledge unfortunate situations without strong emotional emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly regrettable

Very similar to the original phrase but lacks the idiomatic feel of "kind of".

somewhat unfortunate

Emphasizes the element of bad luck or adverse circumstances, softening the sense of regret.

slightly disappointing

Focuses on the disappointment caused by an event or situation, rather than the regret associated with it.

a bit of a shame

Highlights the regrettable aspect as something that is a pity or unfortunate.

mildly unfortunate

Similar to "somewhat unfortunate" but may suggest an even lesser degree of negativity.

rather unfortunate

Slightly stronger than "somewhat unfortunate", indicating a more noticeable degree of bad luck or disappointment.

a little unfortunate

This phrase emphasizes a small degree of misfortune, minimizing the gravity of the situation.

somewhat lamentable

Uses a more formal term, 'lamentable', to express a sense of regret or sorrow, suitable for more serious contexts.

a touch unfortunate

Emphasizes a small degree of misfortune or regret.

a tad disappointing

Synonymous to "slightly disappointing" but may convey an even milder sense of disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of regrettable" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of regrettable" to express mild disappointment or a sense of something being unfortunate, for example: "It's kind of regrettable that the event was canceled."

What are some alternatives to saying "kind of regrettable"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unfortunate", "slightly disappointing", or "a bit of a shame", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kind of regrettable" too informal for professional writing?

While "kind of regrettable" is generally acceptable, it might be considered slightly informal for very formal or academic writing. In those contexts, consider using a more formal alternative like "somewhat lamentable".

What's the difference between "kind of regrettable" and "very regrettable"?

"Kind of regrettable" expresses a milder sense of regret, suggesting a minor disappointment. "Very regrettable" indicates a much stronger feeling of sorrow or disappointment; the choice depends on the intensity you want to convey.