regrettably often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regrettably often" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or sorrow about the frequency of an occurrence. Example: "Regrettably often, we find ourselves facing the same issues despite our efforts to improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In addition, all those who watch public executions – which regrettably often includes children – are brutalised by the experience".

The Guardian

Moreover, under the ancien regime, we regrettably often focused on how NGOs lacked accountability.

Huffington Post

"Legislators, regrettably, often propose new laws or regulations for political or other reasons unrelated to the scientific evidence and counter to the health care needs of patients.

Huffington Post

The present analysis showed that regrettably often the student did not command the basics of scientific communication.

BMC Medical Education

Contamination of cell cultures with mycoplasma was first noted in the 1950s but is still regrettably often disregarded.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

London, as is regrettably so often the way, is the inspiration for too much material, but perhaps a lot of that is due to its usefulness as a totem.

Vice

Discussions in Iraq regrettably have often been solved with guns and that would be a terrible thing — to see unrelenting loss and bloodshed again.

The New York Times

Regrettably, we often hold beliefs that we ourselves don't believe at the core.

Huffington Post

Regrettably, perhaps, often the value we social science researchers add to our community is most evident in its invisibility.

Huffington Post

"Even as national governments, regrettably, all too often dither," he said, "cities around the globe must lead the charge on climate change".

The New York Times

In between such stories — and often, regrettably, in the middle of their telling — Niebuhr makes reference to such stalwarts of religious reconciliation as Thomas Merton, Martin Buber, Abraham Heschel, Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regrettably often" to express disappointment about the frequent occurrence of an undesirable situation. It adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the speaker's or writer's regret.

Common error

While "regrettably often" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or stilted. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "sadly, often" or "unfortunately, frequently" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrettably often" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency with which something occurs, while also conveying a sense of disappointment or regret about that frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regrettably often" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express disappointment or sorrow about the frequent occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for expressing regret about the frequency of an event. While more common in formal and semi-formal contexts like News & Media and Science, simpler alternatives such as "unfortunately frequently" or "sadly often" may be more fitting for casual conversation. Though the phrase is usable in written English, it is relatively rare. By understanding its nuance, you can use "regrettably often" effectively to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunately frequently

Replaces "regrettably" with "unfortunately" while keeping "frequently", maintaining a similar tone and meaning.

sadly often

Substitutes "regrettably" with "sadly", which expresses a similar sense of sorrow or disappointment.

alas, frequently

Uses "alas" to convey regret and combines it with "frequently" for emphasis on frequency.

more's the pity, often

Employs the idiom "more's the pity" to express regret, paired with "often" to indicate frequency.

it's a shame, often

Uses "it's a shame" to show regret and combines it with "often" to denote the frequency of occurrence.

regrettably, on many occasions

Replaces "often" with "on many occasions" to provide a more formal alternative indicating frequency.

unfortunately, on numerous instances

Combines "unfortunately" with "on numerous instances" to express disappointment about repeated occurrences.

sadly, in many cases

Uses "sadly" and "in many cases" to convey sorrow about the frequency of a situation.

it is regrettable that often

Rearranges the phrase to start with "it is regrettable that", emphasizing the regret before mentioning frequency.

to my dismay, frequently

Uses "to my dismay" to express a strong sense of disappointment, combined with "frequently".

FAQs

How can I use "regrettably often" in a sentence?

You can use "regrettably often" to express disappointment about the frequency of something. For example, "Regrettably often, we find ourselves facing the same issues despite our efforts to improve."

What are some alternatives to "regrettably often"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunately frequently", "sadly often", or "alas, frequently" depending on the context.

Is "regrettably often" formal or informal?

"Regrettably often" leans towards a more formal tone. In informal contexts, using alternatives like "unfortunately frequently" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "regrettably often" and "unfortunately frequently"?

The difference is subtle. "Regrettably" emphasizes a sense of sorrow or regret, while "unfortunately" simply acknowledges an unfavorable situation. "Unfortunately frequently" may be perceived as slightly less formal.