live to regret

USAGE SUMMARY

"live to regret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express regret or sadness in hindsight over something that has already happened. For example, "The couple lived to regret their decision to move to a different city".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will he live to regret it?

The Guardian - Sport

"We might live to regret it later," he said.

The Guardian

It was a decision she would live to regret.

The Guardian

"They may live to regret this intervention," he said.

The Guardian

It was a decision they would live to regret.

The Guardian - Film

I just hope I don't live to regret this".

The Guardian

Critics of gambling say people will live to regret that.

The New York Times

It is to be hoped that he will never live to regret these words.

The Economist

The Yankees never made him an offer, and may live to regret their decision.

The New York Times - Sports

During the summit, Mr Cameron warned his fellow leaders they could "live to regret" the appointment.

Independent

Those who take pity on him soon live to regret their generosity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "live to regret" when you want to express a future consequence of an action or decision that will likely lead to feelings of remorse or disappointment. For example: "If you don't save for retirement, you'll live to regret it."

Common error

Avoid using "lived to regret" when referring to a future action. "Lived to regret" implies the regret has already occurred. Instead, use "live to regret" to indicate a future outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "live to regret" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a future consequence or outcome. It highlights that a present action or decision will likely lead to feelings of remorse or disappointment in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "live to regret" is a common and grammatically sound way to express future remorse or disappointment regarding a current action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile, fitting into neutral registers. Predominantly found in "News & Media", this phrase serves as a cautionary statement, warning against actions that may lead to future regret. When writing, ensure to use "live to regret" for future scenarios and avoid the past tense "lived to regret" unless referring to an already experienced regret. Alternatives like "come to rue" or "later deplore" can provide similar but nuanced expressions of this sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Will come to regret this

Adds "this" to specify that the regret is directed towards a particular action or decision.

Will in time regret

Adds "in time" to emphasize the eventual nature of the regret, highlighting the delayed realization of the mistake.

Will come to rue

Uses "rue" instead of "regret", suggesting a more intense feeling of sorrow or bitterness.

Might later feel regret

Uses "might" and "feel regret" for a less emphatic and more speculative tone.

Will eventually lament

Replaces "live" with "eventually" and "regret" with "lament", indicating a future feeling of sorrow.

May come to feel sorry

Employs "may" and "feel sorry" for a softer, more uncertain expression of future regret.

Will face future remorse

Replaces "regret" with "remorse", stressing a deep and gnawing feeling of guilt or sorrow.

Will later deplore

Substitutes "regret" with "deplore", implying strong disapproval or condemnation of a past action.

Will one day be sorry for

Rephrases the regret as a future state of being sorry, emphasizing the feeling of remorse.

Will look back on with sorrow

Focuses on the act of looking back with sorrow, emphasizing the reflective aspect of regret.

FAQs

How can I use "live to regret" in a sentence?

You can use "live to regret" to express that someone will, in the future, feel regret about something they are doing now. For example, "If you don't take this opportunity, you will "live to regret" it."

What's a similar expression to "live to regret"?

Similar expressions include "come to rue", "later deplore", or "one day be sorry for". These all convey a sense of future regret or disappointment.

Is it correct to say "lived to regret"?

While "lived to regret" is grammatically correct, it implies that the regret has already been experienced. Use "live to regret" when referring to a future regret.

What is the difference between "live to regret" and "might regret"?

"Live to regret" implies a stronger likelihood of regret and a more significant impact. "Might regret" suggests a possibility of regret but is less certain.