regret not going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regret not going" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing feelings of remorse or disappointment about not attending an event or opportunity. Example: "Looking back, I truly regret not going to the concert last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I don't regret not going to college.

The New York Times - Sports

'No, I don't regret not going to college.

Independent

But it is certain that we'll regret not going.

The Guardian - Travel

I don't at all regret not going to Wapping in 1986.

Independent

Once you see the size of the portions, you won't regret not going to France.

The Guardian - Travel

That day I was, 'Oh man, my friends are having fun and I'm not.' But I don't regret not going".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"If there were grounds for regret, they would simply have sailed past it... one of the decisions was to not regret, not go back into the past".

The New Yorker

He regretted not going back to teaching.

The New York Times

Maybe he's regretting not going with the Transformers.

The Guardian - Sport

I replied that I've never ever regretted having gone swimming, but that I've frequently regretted not going.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I ask him if he regretted not going to Vietnam or not objecting in a different way.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regret not going" to express a feeling of disappointment about a past decision to not attend something, focusing on the emotional consequence of that choice.

Common error

Avoid using "regret not to go", as this incorrectly combines the verb "regret" with an infinitive. The correct structure involves a gerund ("going") to refer to the past action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regret not going" functions as a verb phrase expressing remorse or disappointment about a past decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It usually follows a subject (e.g., "I", "She", "They") and indicates a feeling about a missed opportunity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "regret not going" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disappointment about a past decision. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a suitable expression to use when discussing missed opportunities. It is frequently found in news and media sources, and its meaning is consistently understood. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects your intended emotion, as it explicitly conveys a sense of remorse. If you need a change, consider alternatives such as "wish I had gone" or "feel sorry for not attending". Avoid incorrect forms like "regret not to go". To sum up, understanding the grammar and best applications of this expression help to convey emotions clearly and correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wish I had gone

Changes the structure to express a past wish instead of regret.

feel sorry for not attending

Replaces "regret" with "feel sorry" and "going" with "attending."

lament my absence

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey regret.

rue the missed opportunity

Focuses on the lost chance rather than the act of not going.

have regrets about not participating

Adds specificity by using the word "participating" instead of "going".

bitterly regret my decision to stay

Emphasizes the negativity of the feeling, adding intensity.

now wish I'd been there

Expresses a current desire based on a past event.

it's a pity I didn't go

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey regret.

I am filled with remorse for not being present

Employs stronger vocabulary to demonstrate a profound sense of regret.

I should have gone

Offers a simple, direct expression of regretful inaction.

FAQs

How can I use "regret not going" in a sentence?

You can use "regret not going" to express remorse about missing an event or opportunity. For example, "I "regret not going" to that concert; everyone said it was amazing."

What's a more formal way to say "regret not going"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "I "lament my absence"" or "I "rue the missed opportunity"."

Is it correct to say "I regret to not go"?

No, "I regret to not go" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "I "regret not going"", which uses a gerund after the verb "regret".

What's the difference between "wish I had gone" and "regret not going"?

"Wish I had gone" expresses a desire for a different past action, while ""regret not going"" focuses more on the negative emotional consequence of the decision.