sincere regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sincere regret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing genuine feelings of sadness or remorse about a situation or action. Example: "I would like to express my sincere regret for the misunderstanding that occurred during our last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And sincere regret".

The Guardian

Ms Saunders said the missed opportunities were a "matter of sincere regret".

Independent

"I would like to express my sincere regret for events," he wrote in the e-mail.

The New York Times

"We wish to express our sincere regret to all concerned," Mr. Fam said.

The New York Times

A Metropolitan police spokesman said the force offered its "sincere regret" over the death of Tomlinson.

The Guardian

It restarted trading shortly after midday, with the chief executive, Xavier Rolet, expressing "sincere regret" at the inconvenience caused.

The New York Times

It is with sincere regret that we mourn the passing of our dear friend, William P. Carey.

The New York Times

The 39-year-old "expresses his sincere regret due to this unfortunate circumstance", it told the Chicago Tribune.

The Guardian - Music

Barristers for the four defendants told Judge Susan Tapping that each wanted to express his "sincere regret and apologies" for the incident.

Independent

After the papers were handed over, the government expressed "sincere regret" and paid £13.9m in compensation to more than 5,000 prison survivors.

The Guardian

His biographer, John Cornwell, describes him as "a deeply flawed human being from whom Catholics... can best profit by expressing our sincere regret".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sincere regret" when acknowledging errors, ethical missteps, or unfortunate outcomes. This phrase is appropriate for formal apologies and public statements where acknowledging fault is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "sincere regret" when the context suggests otherwise. Empty apologies without concrete actions can damage your credibility and create the impression of insincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sincere regret" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sincere" modifies "regret", indicating the genuineness of the feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is used to express a feeling of remorse or sorrow.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sincere regret" is a common and grammatically correct way to express genuine remorse or apology, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's predominantly used in News & Media, Formal & Business contexts. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "genuine remorse" or "heartfelt apology", the key is to ensure authenticity and follow through with appropriate actions. When used insincerely, it can damage credibility. Therefore, "sincere regret" should be used judiciously in situations where genuine remorse is felt and demonstrable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine remorse

Emphasizes the authenticity and depth of feeling.

heartfelt apology

Focuses on expressing contrition and seeking forgiveness.

deep sorrow

Highlights the profound sadness associated with the regret.

profound remorse

Stresses the intensity and seriousness of the regret.

earnest regret

Indicates a serious and honest feeling of regret.

contrite apology

Suggests a humble and repentant expression of regret.

sincere apologies

Plural form expressing a broader sense of apology.

genuine contrition

Focuses on the feeling of being truly penitent.

deep disappointment

Emphasizes the sadness associated with an unmet expectation or failure.

unfeigned regret

Highlights the honesty and lack of pretense in the regret.

FAQs

How to use "sincere regret" in a sentence?

You can use "sincere regret" to express remorse for a mistake or unfortunate event, as in "I express my "sincere regret" for the error" or "The company offers its "sincere regret" to all those affected".

What can I say instead of "sincere regret"?

Alternatives include "genuine remorse", "heartfelt apology", or "deep sorrow", depending on the specific context and the depth of feeling you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "sincere regret"?

It's appropriate to use "sincere regret" in formal settings or when addressing serious issues where you need to convey genuine remorse. It's often used in official statements, apologies, or letters of condolence.

What's the difference between "sincere regret" and "deep apologies"?

"Sincere regret" focuses on the feeling of remorse, while "deep apologies" emphasizes the act of apologizing. "Sincere regret" expresses the feeling, while "deep apologies" conveys the expression of contrition.