regrets only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regrets only" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone feels regret about a situation but does not wish to change it. Example: "In the end, I have regrets only about the time I wasted." Alternative expressions include "only regrets" and "regret alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

She regrets only that she voted to build two big new schools a few years back.

The New York Times

Mr. Padre, who battles extreme introversion, regrets only that he couldn't ham it up at the Mermaid Parade the way someone wearing a MetroCard octopus suit with movable limbs really should.

The New York Times

But, despite plenty of action — including a roommate molested at gunpoint and a friend washed down an arroyo during a climactic border crossing — Poirier keeps this engaging coming-of-age story almost too safe; the reader regrets only that Ellis never does anything worth regretting.

The New Yorker

Patterson regrets only that he included many people on it who did not have personal experience working directly with him.

Forbes

Or... we could all not go, regrets only.

Huffington Post

But she invokes the "these-are-not-ordinary-times" rationale and regrets only that she hadn't set aside "test preparation and dates to memorize and topic sentences to hone" earlier: "Had I been brave enough to start this conversation in September, I wonder whether some of my Trump-supporting students might have chosen otherwise at the ballot box on Tuesday".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Bill Harris seems to regret only his prison sentence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Burroughs seemed to regret only that he had not sufficiently explained the Ugly Spirit to him.

The New Yorker

Mr. Erdogan has doubled down on demolishing the park, saying he regretted only that police brutality escalated the protests.

The New York Times

Benjamin's Marxist turn was welcomed by friends like Brecht, who regretted only that he hadn't gone far enough.

The New Yorker

The perpetrator of this outrage, designed to "waken the masses", regretted only that it had not claimed more victims.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase as a verb, ensure the word "only" is placed correctly to modify what is being regretted, as in "he "regrets only" the missed opportunity".

Common error

Avoid responding to a "regrets only" invitation if you plan to attend. The purpose of this phrase is to save the host time by only requiring them to process notifications from people who are absent. Sending a "yes" response in this context creates unnecessary work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrets only" primarily functions as a noun phrase used as an elliptical instruction on social invitations. In a different syntactic context, it appears as a verb + adverb sequence where "only" restricts the object of the verb "regrets". Ludwig AI confirms its dual role in modern English usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "regrets only" is a versatile English expression with two primary meanings. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used as an etiquette instruction on invitations, signaling that a response is required only from those who cannot attend. However, high-quality sources like The New York Times also use it to describe a state of mind where an individual feels remorse for one specific thing and nothing else. Whether you are managing an event or refining your prose, using "regrets only" is a sophisticated way to provide clarity and limit the scope of a response or a sentiment. Always ensure the context—social vs. emotional—is clear to your audience to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

RSVP

Uses the standard French abbreviation for a general request for a response, regardless of attendance.

please reply

Provides a direct English instruction to respond to an invitation.

unable to attend

Focuses on the specific message conveyed when sending regrets.

send regrets

Phrases the action as a verb rather than a static instruction on an invite.

negative RSVP

Uses more modern or administrative terminology for declining an invitation.

only if declining

Clarifies the instruction in plain English for those unfamiliar with the traditional etiquette term.

response requested

Implies a response is needed without specifying the regrets-only condition.

decline an invitation

Describes the act of using the regrets-only system.

notification of absence

Uses a more formal or clinical tone to describe the purpose of the reply.

RSVP by

Specifies a deadline for the response, which is common but not inherent to the query.

FAQs

How do I use "regrets only" on a party invitation?

Place the phrase at the bottom of the invitation, usually after the host's contact information. It indicates that guests should only contact you if they are "unable to attend". If they are coming, they do not need to respond at all.

What is the difference between RSVP and "regrets only"?

Standard "RSVP" requires a response whether you are attending or not. In contrast, "regrets only" means you only respond if you are declining the invitation.

What can I say instead of "regrets only" to be clearer?

If you worry guests might be confused, you can use a phrase like "only if declining" or "please let us know if you cannot make it".

Is "regrets only" considered formal or informal?

It is generally considered a practical, slightly more "informal" approach than a full RSVP, as it is common for large gatherings or open houses where an exact count is not critical for catering.