seeming regretful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeming regretful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who appears to feel regret or remorse about something, often in a context where their feelings are not fully genuine or are being questioned. Example: "He gave a seeming regretful smile after realizing the impact of his words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He seems regretful that Colin Powell and Mario Cuomo never ran and dismissive of the postwar presidents from Eisenhower on.

The New York Times - Books

Burkle said that he would have continued as a major player in the supermarket business if not for the advent of Walmart, and he seems regretful that he couldn't fend off its advance.

The New Yorker

Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel seemed regretful and a bit self-deprecating as the telecast wrapped up.

Los Angeles Times

Here, Vicki seemed regretful when describing her mother's food choices for her and her sister and the consequences.

BMC Women's Health

She seems embarrassed, regretful.

The New Yorker

At times, Martelly seems as regretful as anyone else.

The New Yorker

Jacobellis has never publicly seemed overly regretful about the blunder.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Uribe, in a Twitter message Wednesday, seemed uncharacteristically regretful regarding Mr. Noguera.

The New York Times

She seemed slightly regretful when the photographer asked for a glass of water.

The New York Times

Bragg sometimes seems vaguely regretful about the fact that he is not thought of, primarily, as a writer.

The Guardian

It seems rather regretful a better picture production of "The Lion and the Mouse" could not have been turned out from the material at hand.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeming regretful" to describe a superficial or questionable display of remorse, distinguishing it from genuine regret. This can add nuance to your writing by implying doubt about the sincerity of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "seeming regretful" when you intend to convey genuine remorse. This phrase implies doubt, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning to prevent misrepresenting someone's feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeming regretful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's apparent emotional state. It suggests an outward display of regret that may or may not align with genuine feelings. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeming regretful" is a grammatically correct way to describe someone who appears to be experiencing regret, although the sincerity of the emotion might be questionable. As analyzed by Ludwig AI, the expression functions as an adjective phrase to modify a noun. While not frequently used, "seeming regretful" is suitable for various contexts from news to more informal conversation, but is mostly associated with News & Media, Science, and Academia. Be mindful that the term inherently introduces skepticism or doubt regarding the genuineness of the expressed remorse. Alternatives such as "appearing remorseful" or "ostensibly regretful" offer subtle variations in meaning, which can alter the tone of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing regretful

Similar to the original, but replaces 'seeming' with 'appearing'.

seeming remorseful

Synonymous change of regretful to remorseful.

apparently regretful

Substitutes 'seeming' with 'apparently,' indicating a similar sense of outward appearance.

giving the impression of regret

A longer phrase that highlights the act of conveying a sense of regret.

looking remorseful

Emphasizes the visible signs of deep regret and guilt.

looking sorry

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a similar sentiment.

appearing apologetic

Focuses on the outward display of apology rather than regret.

displaying regret

Focuses on showing or exhibiting regret.

seeming contrite

Implies a more formal and profound sense of regret and repentance.

ostensibly regretful

Suggests that the regret is professed but may not be genuine.

FAQs

How can I use "seeming regretful" in a sentence?

You can use "seeming regretful" to describe someone who outwardly appears to feel regret, though the sincerity of their feelings may be questionable. For example: "He gave a "seeming regretful" smile after realizing the impact of his words."

What are some alternatives to "seeming regretful"?

Alternatives include "appearing remorseful", "looking sorry", or "ostensibly regretful", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "seeming regretful" the same as "feeling regretful"?

No, "seeming regretful" implies an outward appearance of regret, while "feeling regretful" indicates a genuine internal emotion. The former suggests the possibility of insincerity, while the latter does not.

When is it appropriate to use "seeming regretful" instead of "regretful"?

Use "seeming regretful" when you want to suggest that someone's regret may not be genuine or fully felt. It adds a layer of skepticism or doubt to the expression of remorse.