slightly regretful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly regretful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of mild regret about a situation or decision. Example: "After realizing the impact of my words, I felt slightly regretful for how I had expressed my opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And he looks slightly regretful.

The Guardian - Tech

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

The New York Times

All of which makes me slightly regretful about the ASA ruling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Martindell, who shared an apartment here with another older student, sounds slightly regretful that she did not experience dorm life this time around.

The New York Times

Marvelling at Cat Stevens, and his perfect song, slightly regretful perhaps that I'll never write anything as good - or profitable if the truth be known - or romp in the waves at Camber Sands with PP Arnold.

The Guardian - Music

In an attempt to humanize her, the film depicts an extraordinarily successful leader as a demented, forlorn and slightly regretful old woman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Here Helen, by now the regretful, slightly embarrassed and embarrassing guest of Paris's family ("bitch that I am," she moans), points out to King Priam and his elegant courtiers the various Greeks on the field of battle below, men she knew in her former life.

The New Yorker

The word "regret" is particularly regretful.

Huffington Post

I still have regrets; I'm a regretful person.

The Guardian - Books

Typical regretful experiences include: Think about what's causing your regret.

WikiHow

Even regretful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs of perception like "sounded", "seemed", or "appeared" to describe someone else's demeanor with precision.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly regretful" to describe a situation or an event. Use it only for people who feel regret. For a situation that causes regret, use "<a href="/s/slightly+regrettable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slightly regrettable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly regretful" functions as an adjective phrase where the adverb "slightly" acts as a degree modifier for the adjective "regretful". It typically serves as a subject complement after linking verbs or as an attributive adjective modifying a noun. In the data provided by Ludwig, it is often used to describe the internal state or facial expression of an individual.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Social Media

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly regretful" is a highly effective way to convey a mild degree of remorse. Based on linguistic data from Ludwig, the phrase is a favorite among professional journalists for its ability to add emotional texture to reporting and storytelling. It is grammatically correct and most often appears in contexts where a person's reaction is being analyzed or described. While it is similar to "<a href="/s/somewhat+remorseful" target="_blank" rel="alternative">somewhat remorseful", it remains slightly more accessible and less formal. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with "regrettable", which describes situations rather than people's feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit regretful

A more conversational and slightly less formal version of the phrase.

somewhat remorseful

Increases the level of formality and implies a deeper sense of moral responsibility.

slightly sorry

Uses more basic vocabulary and is common in everyday speech.

subtly rueful

Implying a sense of regret that is mixed with humor or ironic self-awareness.

mildly apologetic

Shifts the focus toward the outward expression or behavior of the person.

vaguely repentant

Suggests a feeling of needing to make amends without a clearly defined cause.

faintly sorrowful

Adds a more literary or poetic tone to the expression of regret.

partially regretful

Indicates mixed feelings where regret is only one part of the emotional response.

a little wistful

Focuses more on a feeling of vague longing rather than specific regret over an action.

marginally disappointed

Shifts the emphasis from the feeling of fault to the feeling of disappointment in an outcome.

FAQs

How to use "slightly regretful" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person's state of mind, such as in: "He looked <a href="/s/slightly+regretful" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slightly regretful after realizing he had missed the meeting."

What can I say instead of "slightly regretful"?

Depending on the tone you want, you can use "<a href="/s/a+bit+regretful" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a bit regretful", "<a href="/s/somewhat+remorseful" target="_blank" rel="alternative">somewhat remorseful", or "<a href="/s/subtly+rueful" target="_blank" rel="alternative">subtly rueful".

Which is correct, "slightly regretful" or "slightly regrettable"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. Use "slightly regretful" for a person who feels sorry, and "<a href="/s/slightly+regrettable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slightly regrettable" for an unfortunate event or decision.

Is "slightly regretful" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to professional. It is frequently seen in high-quality journalism and literature, but it is also perfectly natural in spoken English.