regretted

USAGE SUMMARY

"regretted" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use this word when you are expressing that you feel sorrow or disappointment about something that you did or something that has happened. Example sentence: I deeply regret that I did not take my friend's advice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added that the airline regretted any inconvenience to passengers.

The Guardian - Money

But I did leave it out, thinking it too weird and personal a dish to include, and I regretted it the moment the book was published.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But although warmly introduced as a Tea Party champion, the freshman senator was forced on the defensive by the Fox News anchor Sean Hannity, who asked him during a challenging question and answer session if he regretted proposing similar reforms as part of a comprehensive immigration bill that passed the Senate in 2013 but stalled in the House.

The Guardian

Fast forward several weeks and I deeply regretted those drinks and that bar.

The Guardian - Travel

Later both regretted the affair, which outlived the conference by only an awkward encounter or two.

The Guardian - Books

I had my own canvas room and a proper bed, and was anticipating a good night's sleep after cycling about 50 miles, but regretted not having built up the wood-burning stove before going to bed, as it was freezing cold.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Four things we still don't know after Hillary Clinton's email press conference While taking questions from reporters, Clinton tried to stay on-message – she regretted using the single account in hindsight, she reiterated her eagerness for the public to read emails her team deemed official – but with every answer, it seemed, came more trouble.

The Guardian

That way any regretted fumbles can easily be forgiven later under the British favourite we-were-drunk-it-doesn't count excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neil Kinnock, the Labour leader during the strike who criticised the "suicidal vanity" of Scargill, said in 2009 that he regretted not calling publicly for a national strike ballot.

The Guardian

In his resignation letter to Mrs Liddell yesterday, Mr Roy said he regretted she and Dr Reid had been "falsely accused" of involvement in the affair.

The Guardian

The search engine regretted to inform me that it was 'no longer able to show the pages from your website in response to certain searches on European versions of Google.' At that point I suspected I might have a busy day.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regretted" when you want to express a feeling of sorrow or disappointment about something that has already happened. Make sure the context clearly indicates what is being regretted.

Common error

Avoid using "regretted" when you intend to express regret in the present or future. "Regret" is the appropriate form for present tense, and "will regret" for future tense. For example, say "I regret my decision now" instead of "I regretted my decision now" if the feeling is current.

Linguistic Context

The word "regretted" primarily functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'regret'. As Ludwig AI states, it expresses sorrow or disappointment over something that has happened. In sentences, it often indicates a feeling of remorse or wishing something had been done differently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Books

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regretted" is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'regret', used to express sorrow or disappointment about past events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The usage is common across various contexts, including news, business, and personal narratives. It's important to use "regretted" accurately, avoiding its misuse in present or future tense. While synonyms exist, each carries a slightly different nuance. "Regretted" offers a clear way to convey feelings of remorse and wishing for a different outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was sorry about

A more straightforward and less formal way of expressing regret.

Expressed regret for

Highlights the act of communicating one's feelings of regret, making it more formal.

Felt apologetic for

Emphasizes the feeling of needing to apologize for something.

Felt contrition for

Highlights a sincere sense of remorse and repentance.

Felt remorse for

Focuses specifically on the feeling of remorse, implying a deeper sense of guilt or wrongdoing.

Wished they hadn't

Focuses on the desire to undo a past action.

Lamented

Implies a more public or expressive display of sorrow.

Bemoaned

Suggests a more prolonged and sorrowful expression of regret.

Had misgivings about

Indicates feelings of doubt or apprehension about a past decision.

Deplored

Expresses strong disapproval and regret.

FAQs

How is "regretted" typically used in a sentence?

"Regretted" is the past participle of the verb 'regret'. It's used to express sorrow or disappointment over something that has already happened. For example, "She "regretted her decision"." or "He "regretted not studying"".

What are some synonyms for "regretted"?

Synonyms for "regretted" include "felt remorse for", "lamented", "was sorry about", and "wished they hadn't". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am regretted"?

No, "I am regretted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage would be "I regret" (present tense) or "I regretted" (past tense). "I am regretted" doesn't make sense because regret is an action you perform, not something that is done to you.

What's the difference between "regretted" and "regretful"?

"Regretted" is the past participle/past tense of the verb 'regret', while "regretful" is an adjective. You "regretted something" you did (verb), and you feel "regretful" about it (adjective). For example: "She regretted her words and felt regretful."