seriously sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seriously sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in expressions of apology and regret. For example, "I am seriously sorry for forgetting to call you back yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Seriously, sorry to spring it on you, kiddo.

The New Yorker

HotWired sold the first banner ad on the Web ("Seriously, sorry," Cohen says) and was one of the first Web sites to feature reader-comment sections below articles.

The New Yorker

How much financial remorse would persuade ordinary observers that Mr. Crosby was seriously sorry, and seriously willing to pay a fitting price?

The New York Times

(Seriously, sorry for the terrible pun).

TechCrunch

One Show presenter Matt Baker told viewers at the end of Wednesday night's edition of The One Show that he was "seriously sorry" if anyone had been upset by the comments.

BBC

(Seriously, sorry).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If Hitchens and Dawkins want to delude themselves into thinking this is a big deal, then I seriously feel sorry for them.

BBC

Sorry sorry sorry.

The New Yorker

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

BBC

Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seriously sorry" to express sincere regret, particularly when acknowledging a mistake or expressing sympathy.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously sorry" too frequently, as it can diminish the impact. Vary your expressions of regret with alternatives like "genuinely apologetic" or "deeply regretful" to maintain sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously sorry" functions primarily as an intensified expression of apology or regret. It amplifies the basic sentiment of being "sorry", indicating a deeper level of remorse. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts where a speaker wants to emphasize the sincerity of their apology.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seriously sorry" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express sincere regret or apology. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed in various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Wiki and Academia. While it's generally acceptable, varying your expressions of remorse with alternatives like "genuinely sorry" or "deeply regretful" can help maintain sincerity and avoid overuse. Remember to consider the formality of the situation when choosing the most appropriate phrase to express your regret.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Genuinely sorry

Focuses on the authenticity of the apology, implying a sincere feeling of regret.

Very regretful

Uses "very" as an intensifier, maintaining a slightly less emphatic tone than "deeply" or "extremely".

Truly apologetic

Highlights the sincerity of the apology, focusing on the genuineness of the feeling.

Honestly apologetic

Highlights the truthfulness of the apology, suggesting a transparent and sincere expression.

Deeply regretful

Emphasizes a profound sense of remorse, carrying a more formal and intense tone than the original phrase.

Sincerely regretful

Conveys a formal and heartfelt expression of regret, suitable for professional or serious situations.

Truly regret

Directly expresses regret, removing the softening effect of "sorry" for a more direct impact.

Extremely remorseful

Stresses the depth of regret, indicating a significant feeling of guilt and sorrow.

Profoundly sorry

Indicates a deep and significant feeling of regret, suitable for serious or formal contexts.

Wholeheartedly sorry

Emphasizes that the apology comes from the entire being, conveying a complete sense of regret.

FAQs

What does "seriously sorry" mean?

The phrase "seriously sorry" is used to express a sincere and deep feeling of regret or apology. It indicates that you are not just casually sorry, but genuinely feel remorse for something you have done or something that has happened.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "seriously sorry"?

It's appropriate to use "seriously sorry" when you want to convey a strong sense of regret or apology, especially if you have caused someone harm, inconvenience, or distress. It is suitable for situations where a simple "sorry" might not seem sufficient.

Are there alternatives to saying "seriously sorry"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "genuinely sorry", "deeply regretful", or "sincerely apologetic" to express a similar sentiment.

Is "seriously sorry" formal or informal?

The phrase "seriously sorry" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the relationship between the speakers. However, more formal alternatives like "profoundly sorry" might be more appropriate in very formal settings.