regrettably so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regrettably so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express sorrow or disappointment about a situation that is true or confirmed. Example: "The project was not completed on time, regrettably so, as we had hoped for a different outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is clear, and regrettably so, what many Long Islanders think.

The New York Times

It is not the first time it has happened, regrettably so.

The New York Times

The "poet of the people" is today more often invoked than read, but regrettably so: his prose is understated and evocative.

The Guardian - Books

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Regrettably, like so many politicians, Gov. Brown has ignored the power of incentive in his own state.

Huffington Post

"Regrettably, the so-called 'agreement' reached today in the Senate Armed Services Committee will only harm the efforts of intelligence and law enforcement officials to bring to justice those who would harm Americans here and abroad," Mr. Leahy and Ms. Feinstein said.

The New York Times

So, regrettably, did the limits of justice.

The Guardian

Possible to find fault, but life so regrettably abbreviated for space".

The New Yorker

And so – regrettably, inexorably – the pernicious cycle of neocolonial self-justification will go on.

Independent

"So regrettably, the swearing-in ceremony is deferred until further notice".

The New York Times

For Latvia's many Jews, of course, nearly all of whom perished, it was the other way round and Latvia has shown regrettably little enthusiasm so far for prosecuting those who did collaborate zealously with the Nazis.Will Mr Berzins be up to the job?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regrettably so" when you want to express disappointment about a confirmed situation. It adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the fact.

Common error

Avoid using "regrettably so" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted. Instead, vary your expressions of regret with simpler alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrettably so" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding statement by expressing the speaker or writer's regret or disappointment about its truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regrettably so" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express disappointment about a confirmed situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, lending a formal and sorrowful tone to the writing. Consider more common alternatives like "unfortunately so" or "sadly so" for less formal contexts. When aiming for nuanced expression of regret, "regrettably so" offers a sophisticated touch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunately so

Replaces "regrettably" with "unfortunately", indicating a lack of good fortune.

sadly so

Substitutes "regrettably" with "sadly", emphasizing sorrow.

lamentably so

Replaces "regrettably" with "lamentably", suggesting deep sorrow or grief.

deplorably so

Emphasizes the regrettable nature with a stronger term, "deplorably".

unhappily so

Replaces "regrettably" with "unhappily", focusing on the lack of happiness associated with the situation.

alas, it is so

Adds an interjection of sorrow ("alas") to emphasize regret.

it is regrettable that it is so

Expands the phrase to a full clause, making it more explicit.

it's a pity that it's so

Uses a more colloquial expression ("it's a pity") to convey regret.

I regret that this is the case

Shifts to a first-person perspective to express personal regret.

it is a matter of regret

Formalizes the expression of regret, emphasizing the situation as causing regret.

FAQs

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

Use "regrettably so" to express disappointment about a situation that is already the case. For example: "The project was not completed on time, regrettably so, as we had hoped for a different outcome."

What can I say instead of "regrettably so"?

You can use alternatives like "unfortunately so", "sadly so", or "lamentably so" depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "regrettably so" formal or informal?

"Regrettably so" leans towards being a more formal expression. It is suitable for professional or academic writing where a degree of sophistication is desired.

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

Both express disappointment, but "regrettably" often implies a deeper sense of sorrow or regret than "unfortunately". "Regrettably" can suggest a stronger personal feeling of disappointment.