regrettably true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regrettably true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sentiment of sorrow or disappointment about a fact that is accurate. Example: "It is regrettably true that the project will not meet its deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The same was beginning to seem regrettably true of books by Eugenides.

The Guardian - Books

With Libor, it was regrettably true that senior managers in investment banks often did not know what their traders were doing.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is indubitably and regrettably true that plenty of British football fans will be rooting for Barça tomorrow, in a way they, or their parents, didn't for Benfica in 1968.

Independent

Dr. Alan Wachtel, a New York City psychiatrist with a specialty in attention deficit disorder, said it was "regrettably true" that some parents bid for the services of "hired guns".

The New York Times

This observation seems regrettably true and, although the balance is to some extent redressed by such excellent studies in the accurately entitled Literary Lives series (published by Palgrave) as Michael O'Neill's Percy Bysshe Shelley (1989) or Caroline Franklin's Byron (2000), not-very-literary biographies, some running to four hundred and more pages, continue to accumulate in the bookshops.

The Guardian - Books

Putting aside the vexed question of whether Hitler was elected democratically, or whether Mexico was a republic in 1846, it is regrettably true that the United States has on occasion undermined the democratic aspirations of other countries, from the Philippines to Iran and Guatemala.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I know that this is a major accusation to make against a whole culture, but it is, regrettably, quite true.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Statement (a) is a great applause line but regrettably not true: Students differ enormously in learning ability, and a significant minority of them never learn to read well or to handle long division, and are totally defeated by algebra, physics and high school generally.

Forbes

I guess in the end, Michael Young History's dream of The Cool regrettably came true.

Huffington Post

Regrettably, it was true in this case.

The Guardian - Opinion

Regrettably, this is true; they're like the utilities – water, electricity, gas or, more appropriate, sewage – I suggested here the other day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regrettably true" to introduce facts that are accurate but cause disappointment or sadness. This phrase effectively conveys both the validity and the unwelcome nature of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "regrettably true" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone seem overly negative or melodramatic. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "sadly accurate" or "unfortunately correct" to maintain a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrettably true" functions as an adverbial modifier that emphasizes the speaker's or writer's disappointment or sorrow regarding the accuracy of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "regrettably true" serves to express disappointment or sorrow about the accuracy of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and acceptability. While not overly common, it finds its primary usage in news, media, and books, often signaling an unwelcome reality. For alternative phrasing, consider "sadly accurate" or "unfortunately correct". Be mindful of overuse to prevent your writing from sounding overly negative. This expression effectively communicates a sense of unwelcome accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sadly accurate

Replaces "regrettably" with "sadly", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the truth.

Unfortunately correct

Substitutes "regrettably" with "unfortunately", focusing on the negative consequence of the truth.

It's a shame, but true

Expresses regret more explicitly by stating it's a shame, while confirming the truth.

Lamentably accurate

Uses "lamentably" instead of "regrettably", highlighting the sorrowful nature of the truth.

Regretfully factual

Replaces "true" with "factual", adding a sense of irrefutability to the regrettable circumstance.

Sadly but accurately

Highlights both sadness and precision but combines it into one adverb.

It is with regret that I confirm this

A more formal and emphatic way to express the confirmation of something regrettable.

It is regrettable, but it's the case

Uses a rephrasing to emphasize the existing situation.

It is regrettable that this is so

Emphasizes the regrettable nature of the situation using formal word choice.

Regrettably, this is the reality

Rephrases the combination of regret and truth by highlighting reality.

FAQs

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

Use "regrettably true" to acknowledge a fact that is accurate but causes disappointment or sadness. For example, "It is regrettably true that funding for the arts has been cut."

What are some alternatives to "regrettably true"?

You can use alternatives like "sadly accurate", "unfortunately correct", or "it's a shame, but true" depending on the context.

Is "regrettably true" formal or informal?

"Regrettably true" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While "regrettably" adds a degree of formality, the phrase is widely understood and used in various contexts.

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

While both phrases express sorrow about a fact, "regrettably true" emphasizes the feeling of regret more strongly than "unfortunately true", which focuses more on the unfortunate nature of the situation.