regretting

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "regretting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing feelings of sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened or a decision made. Example: "I find myself regretting the choices I made in my youth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just imagine what could happen to those protectionist US tendencies if the bubble does burst, and Alan Greenspan starts regretting his decision not to get out while the going was good.

The Guardian - Business

Brown must already be regretting the rush to another sort of regulation, the audit of MPs' expenses under Sir Thomas Legg, designed to appease public sentiment and show political leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Maybe they feel that they shouldn't lament their child's behaviour because, in their eyes, it would be tantamount to regretting that their child exists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now the draft transcripts of the discarded conference speech reveal that, far from regretting using the phrase "enemy within", which she had only used previously used in private, the Tory prime minister was quite prepared, in the middle of the bitter 1984-85 minerstrikeike, to repeat it publicly – and widen it to include nearly the whole of the Labour movement.

The Guardian

Word is out that the titular monsters are peripheral to the film's Middle East war storyline, a creative decision that the sequel's backers are presumably now regretting.

The Guardian - Film

I didn't and I'm still regretting it.

The Guardian - Travel

He won by a fairly narrow margin here anyway, and I think many of the people who did vote for him will now be regretting their choice.

The Guardian

Early on, Cameron looked as if he might have been regretting his decision not to take part in the televised debate as the questions were a great deal tougher than anything he had been asked at the last leaders' debate.

The Guardian

I cannot even see St Paul's from the top deck of a bus without regretting that I am not an architect.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a lot regretting it now.

The Guardian

On September 19th, he re-emerged breathing fire with political diaries that have shaken Australia's political establishment, and left the Labor Party surely regretting it had ever been rash enough to anoint him .The Latham Diaries" are the most explosive political document Australia has seen in a long time, perhaps ever.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regretting", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or decision is being regretted. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "regretting" in situations where a simple apology or acknowledgement of error is more appropriate. Overusing the term can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "regretting" is as a verb in its present participle form, often used in continuous tenses to describe the act of feeling regret. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

22%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regretting" is a versatile verb form used to express sorrow or disappointment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being regretted to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "feeling remorseful" or "lamenting" exist, "regretting" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse situations. Avoid overuse to preserve its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling remorseful

Indicates a deep sense of guilt and sorrow for wrongdoing.

repenting

Focuses on feeling remorse and seeking forgiveness for sins or wrongdoings.

rueing

Implies bitterly regretting something one has done or allowed to happen.

lamenting

Suggests expressing sorrow or grief, often publicly.

sorrowing

Indicates feeling or expressing grief or sadness.

bemoaning

Expresses discontent or sorrowful regret.

deploring

Expresses strong disapproval or regret about something.

expressing contrition

A formal way to convey sincere remorse and penitence.

being apologetic about

Highlights the act of expressing regret and offering an apology.

wishing you hadn't

A more direct and informal way of expressing regret.

FAQs

How to use "regretting" in a sentence?

You can use "regretting" to express sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened. For example, "I am "regretting my decision" to sell my car".

What can I say instead of "regretting"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling remorseful", "lamenting", or "rueing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "regretting my action" or "regretting my actions"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Regretting my action" refers to a specific deed, while "regretting my actions" implies multiple regrettable deeds. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "regretting" and "apologizing"?

"Regretting" expresses sorrow or disappointment, while "apologizing" is a formal act of expressing remorse and seeking forgiveness. You can regret something without apologizing, but an apology often implies regret.