regret not doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regret not doing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing remorse about an action you did not take. Example: "I regret not doing my homework on time." Alternative expressions include "wish I had done" and "feel sorry for not doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

What do I regret not doing?

The New York Times

"I regret not doing it in my younger days.

The Guardian

I didn't want to get older and regret not doing it.

Independent

I was thinking of calling him, and just asking him, 'Hey, is everything O.K.?' I regret not doing that now".

The New York Times

Doctors from the hospital told St Pancras coroner's court that they regret not doing so, and that Katie's life might have been saved if they had.

The Guardian

"I think the election will be close and whoever loses will probably have lost Missouri and regret not doing more to get it".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Ms. Gonzalez said her uncle encouraged her in school and urged her to go to college, something he regretted not doing.

The New York Times

Asked if he regretted not doing more to prevent the crisis, King said he and the Bank had issued warnings.

The Guardian - Business

"In my first couple of sessions back, I was regretting not doing anything.

BBC

Lea Black... regrets not doing even more.

Huffington Post

He should do it now and declare he regrets not doing it earlier.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "regret not doing", ensure the action you're referring to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I regret not doing," specify "I regret not doing more research before investing."

Common error

Avoid using "regret not doing" when the situation involves active decisions that led to negative outcomes. The phrase is better suited for missed opportunities rather than poor choices. Instead of "I regret not doing that risky investment", consider "I regret making that risky investment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regret not doing" functions as a verb phrase expressing remorse or disappointment about a missed opportunity or action. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its role in conveying a sense of unfulfilled potential.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "regret not doing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey remorse for missed opportunities. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples shows that it appears frequently in news articles, blogs, and personal reflections. While grammatically sound, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects a missed chance rather than a poorly executed decision. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase serves as an effective way to express a longing for past actions that were not taken, ultimately prompting reflection and perhaps influencing future choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wish I had done

Emphasizes a longing for a past action that was not taken.

wish I would have

A more common way to express a past desire and missed opportunity.

have regrets about inaction

Highlights that regret is regarding the lack of action.

it's a shame I didn't do

Expresses regret in a more conversational way.

lament not undertaking

A more formal way to express regret for not starting something.

kick myself for not doing

An idiom expressing self-reproach for a missed chance.

rue not having acted

Highlights sorrow about the absence of a past action.

bitterly regret neglecting

Intensifies the feeling of regret for overlooking something.

feel remorse for not pursuing

Focuses on the feeling of guilt for not having chased an opportunity.

be sorry for not engaging in

Expresses a milder form of regret for lacking involvement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "regret not doing" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "wish I had done", "lament not undertaking", or "rue not having acted" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "regret not doing"?

Yes, the phrase "regret not doing" is grammatically sound and commonly used to express remorse for a missed action or opportunity.

What's the difference between "regret not doing" and "regret doing"?

"Regret not doing" expresses remorse for an action not taken, while "regret doing" expresses remorse for an action that was taken. For example, "I regret not studying" means you wish you had studied, while "I regret studying" means you wish you hadn't studied.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "regret not doing"?

Use "regret not doing" when reflecting on past opportunities you didn't seize or actions you didn't take that you now wish you had. It implies a sense of longing or disappointment for the missed chance.