regretfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regretfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing sorrow or disappointment about a situation or decision. Example: "Regretfully, we must inform you that your application has not been successful this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I did it regretfully, I don't normally have to do that, in the end it dragged on and on".

The Guardian

And so the three of us drove, regretfully, away from Imlil – Caroline in the back and me in the front with Moha, who regaled us with stories and history and answers to the endless questions we fired at him as the mountains rolled by.

The Guardian - Travel

So Europe's rulers could put somebody they do not want in a job he may not want.It is possible that this is an example of the Merkelvellianism for which the German chancellor has gained a reputation: by dithering, she is letting enough opposition emerge for her "regretfully" to dump Mr Juncker (or give him the council job) and hand the commission to a better candidate.

The Economist

In June the Gulf Research Centre, a respected privately funded think-tank that has been based for more than a decade in Dubai, one of the UAE's seven statelets, regretfully announced it was closing its offices owing to the government's unexplained failure to renew an operating licence.

The Economist

The voice rises in volume and, with an exaggerated roll of the "r", the senator points out that the founding fathers talked of "treason" as a reason to remove a president from office, not the sins of Mr Clinton.But it is getting late; the tutorial must end; the second tumbler of sherry must be regretfully declined.

The Economist

But you know what, I am regretfully prepared to predict that the next time we have a climate change conference, in Bonn, Lady Ashton and Mr Van Rompuy will not lead the first paragraphs of world press reports either.The new world order is still shaking out.

The Economist

And despite the current troubles of Mr Arafat and his Palestinian Authority, the Palestinians are far closer to establishing a state than the Kurds, who are a larger minority but whose leaders, fighting for independence or autonomy, eschewed international terrorism.With the fear of a far bloodier and more destructive era to come, should one look back regretfully to the old-style terrorist?

The Economist

Yes, she was in good voice and her wheelchair had just been serviced.Mrs Dyk's offer was regretfully declined.

The Economist

And regretfully too many tournaments are settled these days by penalty shoot-outs.

The Economist

It was not an evening to be an Arab .Poor little Hussein," said a minister regretfully.

The Economist

But gone regretfully are the days when friends would gather in back gardens to take turns at peering through the family telescope and manning the outside grill.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regretfully" to modify a sentence, place it at the beginning for emphasis. For instance, "Regretfully, the project had to be abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "regretfully" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler words like "sadly" or "unfortunately" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "regretfully" is to act as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or entire clause. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use to express the manner in which an action is performed, indicating sorrow or disappointment. Many examples show this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Regretfully" functions as an adverb expressing sorrow or disappointment, commonly used to soften negative news or express remorse. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While "regretfully" is acceptable in various settings, it's best suited for neutral to professional communication and should be used sparingly in informal contexts. Alternatives such as ""sadly"" or ""unfortunately"" may be more appropriate for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with regret

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase, offering a slightly more formal tone.

sadly

A more direct and simpler expression of sorrow or disappointment.

unfortunately

Focuses on the negative outcome or circumstance rather than the feeling of regret.

sorrowfully

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness and grief.

ruefully

Implies a sense of regret mixed with humor or resignation.

alas

An interjection expressing grief, pity, or concern.

it is regrettable that

Introduces the regretful statement with a more formal and explicit structure.

to my regret

Expresses personal regret in a more direct manner.

I am sorry to say

Softens the impact of the negative news by expressing personal apology.

with disappointment

Highlights the feeling of being let down, rather than necessarily feeling responsible or at fault.

FAQs

How can I use "regretfully" in a sentence?

"Regretfully" is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express disappointment or sorrow, such as in the sentence, "Regretfully, we must decline your invitation." It can also modify a verb, as in "He "regretfully" admitted his mistake."

What words are similar to "regretfully"?

Synonyms for "regretfully" include "sadly", "unfortunately", and "with regret". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "regretfully"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "regretfully". This placement often serves to emphasize the feeling of regret or disappointment associated with the statement that follows.

What is the difference between "regretfully" and "regrettably"?

"Regretfully" and "regrettably" are largely interchangeable. Both adverbs convey a sense of regret or sorrow. Some may perceive "regrettably" as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.