regrettably short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regrettably short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment about the brevity of something, such as a report, speech, or meeting. Example: "The presentation was regrettably short, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There are also diverting, regrettably short visits to Graceland and a Sunday gospel service.

The New York Times

This British sculptor's New York gallery debut is impressive, although the color that Ms. Warren often lavishes on her objects is in regrettably short supply.

The New York Times

Unlike the two previous "first ballets", Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, the plot for Coppélia is regrettably short on princesses and fairies which tend to go hand in hand for little girls and ballet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The text he chooses for his Act III solo is regrettably short-phrased, but it begins and ends superbly.

The New York Times - Arts

And then, in walked a little-known comic named Louis C.K. Before becoming the comedic institution he is today, he quietly meandered onto the scene in the regrettably short-lived, but nonetheless brilliant sitcom, "Lucky Louie".

Huffington Post

On top of jet-lag, my fascinating-but-regrettably-short visit was made all the more disorientating by the fact that the institute (above) looks like a space ship from Interstellar, which I watched on the flight over.

The Guardian

Last year, to celebrate Pekar's birthday, a group of artists who were collaborating with him on his ongoing Webcomic series on SMITH Magazine, "Pekar Project," now regrettably cut short, invited artists to submit portraits of Pekar for a "gift" they called "The Harvey Heads".

The New Yorker

Regrettably, the decision fell short of a clean break.

The New York Times

Regrettably, the king stopped short of adding minority Shiites to the mix.

The New York Times

Regrettably Labour is allowing short-term political opportunism to thwart long-term democratic change.

BBC

While the origins of American surfing remain as murky as ocean water in a rip current, no one would dispute the sport's influence in California, which birthed the Beach Boys and The Endless Summer, and, perhaps regrettably, Baywatch and board shorts.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regrettably short" when you want to express disappointment or mild sorrow about the brevity of something, such as a visit, speech, or performance. It adds a touch of formality and emphasizes your regret.

Common error

Avoid using "regrettably short" too frequently in your writing, as the repeated use of formal adverbs can make your tone sound overly stiff. Vary your language by using simpler alternatives like "unfortunately brief" or "disappointingly short".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrettably short" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express that something is briefer than desired and that this brevity is a cause for regret. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is commonly used to express disappointment in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "regrettably short" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express disappointment over the brevity of something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, although its frequency is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys a sense of regret with a neutral level of formality. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "unfortunately brief" or "sadly concise" to maintain a similar meaning while diversifying your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unfortunately brief

Replaces "regrettably" with "unfortunately", keeping the focus on the brevity but with a slightly less formal tone.

Sadly concise

Emphasizes the sadness associated with the brevity, using "concise" to highlight the efficient but perhaps insufficient nature of something.

Lamentably brief

Substitutes "regrettably" with "lamentably", adding a stronger sense of sorrow or regret about the short duration.

Disappointingly short

Directly expresses the disappointment felt due to the shortness of something, making the emotional impact more explicit.

Regrettably concise

Maintains the regret but replaces "short" with "concise", focusing on the succinctness rather than just the length.

Woefully inadequate

Shifts the focus to the inadequacy resulting from the shortness, implying that something is insufficient due to its limited duration or extent.

Tersely limited

Highlights both the brevity (tersely) and the restriction (limited) associated with something, suggesting a constrained and short nature.

Pitifully brief

Emphasizes the negative impact of the brevity, suggesting that the shortness is a cause for pity or concern.

Painfully short

Highlights the negative impact or discomfort caused by the brevity.

Deplorably brief

Uses "deplorably" to express strong disapproval or regret about the shortness of something.

FAQs

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

"Regrettably short" is used to express disappointment that something is briefer than desired. For example, "The meeting was "regrettably short", leaving several key issues unresolved."

What are some alternatives to "regrettably short"?

Alternatives include "unfortunately brief", "sadly concise", or "disappointingly short". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "regrettably short" formal or informal?

"Regrettably short" is considered more formal due to the adverb "regrettably". In more informal contexts, "sadly short" or "just short" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "regrettably short" and "surprisingly short"?

"Regrettably short" implies disappointment or regret about the brevity. "Surprisingly short", on the other hand, simply indicates that the length was unexpected, without necessarily implying a negative feeling.