regrettable news

USAGE SUMMARY

"regrettable news" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you would like to express that you are sorry for sharing news that is not positive or welcomed. For example, "I have to share some regrettable news - our budget is being cut next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That is regrettable news for the third of the elderly who lack private drug coverage.

The New York Times

"Obviously, this is regrettable news for state and local taxpayers and is another reason why it is so critical that the state has policies that restore economic growth and create more jobs," Kevin C. Quinn, a spokesman for the state Division of the Budget, said today.

The New York Times

In rather regrettable news, it seems that Paramount and J.J. Abrams are working together to adapt the hugely popular anime movie Your Name into a live action film.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's regrettable that a news organization feels compelled to fire a journalist for essentially doing journalism," said Bill Kovach, chairman of the Committee of Concerned Journalists.

The New York Times

Pugh called the deals with UMMS a "regrettable mistake" at a news conference last week.

The Washington Post

"Roland Martin's tweets were regrettable and offensive," the cable news channel said in a statement.

The New York Times

White House spokesman Eric Schultz called that "regrettable" and said: "Today's news should be a wake-up call to Congress to get back to work".

Los Angeles Times

"It is extremely regrettable," Fujimura said at a regular news conference.

The Guardian

The BBC Trust's editorial standards committee said on Thursday that the proximity of Fry's limerick to the news broadcast was "unfortunate and regrettable" and "capable of causing offence".

The Guardian

CNN also saw the outcry and suspended Mr. Martin indefinitely, saying in a news release that his post was "regrettable and offensive".

The New York Times

It is regrettable that Mr. Muti's detractors in the news media could not judge him solely on the basis of his musicianship and baton technique.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When delivering "regrettable news", be direct but empathetic. Acknowledge the negative impact of the information while maintaining a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid softening the blow with excessive euphemisms when sharing "regrettable news". While empathy is important, clarity prevents confusion and builds trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrettable news" functions as a descriptor, modifying the noun "news" to indicate that the information being conveyed is unwelcome or unfortunate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a phrase widely used to express sorrow or disappointment upon delivering negative information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regrettable news" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to introduce information that is unfortunate or unwelcome. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using this phrase, aim for directness while maintaining empathy. Related phrases include "unfortunate news" and "sad news", offering alternative ways to convey a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate news

Replaces "regrettable" with a synonym indicating bad luck or misfortune, maintaining a similar level of formality.

sad news

Substitutes "regrettable" with a more direct expression of sorrow, making the phrase slightly less formal.

disappointing news

Focuses on the feeling of letdown caused by the news, rather than the regret associated with it.

unwelcome news

Highlights the unwelcomed nature of the information, shifting the emphasis from regret to reception.

bad tidings

Uses a slightly archaic term for news, adding a touch of formality and gravity.

unhappy news

Simple and direct substitution, conveying the basic meaning without nuance.

grave news

Implies the news is serious and concerning, increasing the intensity.

distressing news

Emphasizes the anxiety and upset caused by the news, adding emotional weight.

concerning news

Highlights the worrying or alarming aspects of the information.

alarming news

Indicates the news is a cause for alarm or fear, intensifying the negative impact.

FAQs

What does "regrettable news" mean?

The phrase "regrettable news" refers to information that causes sorrow, disappointment, or regret. It indicates that the news is unwelcome or unfortunate.

What can I say instead of "regrettable news"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunate news", "sad news", or "disappointing news" depending on the context and the specific emotion you want to convey.

How formal is the phrase "regrettable news"?

"Regrettable news" has a neutral to slightly formal tone, suitable for professional or official communications. Less formal alternatives exist if a more casual tone is desired.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "regrettable news"?

It is appropriate to use "regrettable news" when delivering negative information that you wish to acknowledge as unfortunate. For instance, you might use it when announcing budget cuts or project cancellations.