somewhat regrettable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat regrettable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild sense of disappointment or sorrow about a situation or event. Example: "The cancellation of the event was somewhat regrettable, as many had been looking forward to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This approach is somewhat regrettable.

The Guardian

"For us it is somewhat regrettable," a top State Department official, William Fitzgerald, told French radio in January.

The New York Times

By comparison, Nasser Hussain's decision to put Australia in seems eminently sensible, Tony Greig's promise to make the West Indians grovel somewhat regrettable.

The Guardian - Sport

Six years later, Jackson found himself on the bag of South African great Gary Player, in somewhat regrettable circumstances.

BBC

This format is somewhat regrettable because on the one hand the book is clearly too large to be stored in the pocket but on the other hand it is not exhaustive either.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"That makes it somewhat more regrettable there hasn't been an expedited way of processing applications in the USCIS because we could become a more powerful voting bloc in these particular states," Chacon said.

The Washington Post

This somewhat hysterical response is regrettable.

The New York Times

As Xan Brooks wrote last week, this is both regrettable and somewhat understandable; Synecdoche, New York is sprawling, dense, uningratiating and more or less unfathomable, but it's also funny, moving, surprising, rewarding and unlike anything else out there.

The Guardian - Film

Later on Monday, Everton said in a statement: "In response to regrettable and somewhat premature reports earlier this evening, Everton are continuing discussions with regards to the vacant managerial position.

BBC

Author response: The notion of the partitioning of archaeal genes into two classes with distinct evolutionary provenances seems to be somewhat misguided (this is, of course, very regrettable because it comes from a well-known and, in many ways, still relevant paper of which one of us is the first author: Koonin et al. Mol Microbiol. 1997 Aug 25 4 619 377).

Biology Direct

The video below (around 54m mark) is hardly conclusive, despite the somewhat partisan San Jose commentary, but it does seem to demonstrate some behavior that politicians like to describe as "regrettable".. Johnson may face disciplinary action - what's clear though is that Seattle have snarled their way through an unhappy June that has seen them drop several points in league play.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat regrettable" to express a polite and understated sense of disappointment or concern. It's suitable for situations where a stronger expression of regret would be inappropriate or excessive.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat regrettable" too frequently in highly formal or critical contexts. In such cases, consider more direct and impactful expressions of concern or disappointment to convey the seriousness of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat regrettable" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the adjective 'regrettable'. It serves to moderate or soften the expression of regret, indicating a sentiment that is not as strong or intense. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat regrettable" is a phrase used to express a mild sense of disappointment or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While not overly frequent, it serves as a useful way to express nuanced opinions without being overly critical. For alternative expressions, consider "slightly unfortunate" or "mildly disappointing". Remember to use it judiciously, particularly in formal settings where a stronger expression of concern might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly unfortunate

Expresses mild disappointment with an emphasis on bad luck or chance.

mildly disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment being not very strong.

a little unfortunate

Emphasizes the minor degree of the unfortunate nature of something.

rather disappointing

Indicates a notable degree of disappointment, more than just 'somewhat'.

slightly disappointing

Underscores the minimal impact or degree of disappointment.

somewhat disappointing

Replaces 'regrettable' with 'disappointing' maintaining the similar sentiment.

a bit regrettable

Uses 'a bit' instead of 'somewhat' to express a similar level of regret.

moderately regrettable

Uses 'moderately' to indicate a medium level of regret.

marginally regrettable

Indicates the regret is present only to a small extent.

a touch regrettable

Implies the feeling of regret is light or subtle.

FAQs

What does "somewhat regrettable" mean?

The phrase "somewhat regrettable" means that something is disappointing or unfortunate to a certain extent, but not entirely or severely. It expresses a mild sense of regret.

When is it appropriate to use "somewhat regrettable"?

Use "somewhat regrettable" when you want to express mild disappointment or concern without being overly dramatic. It's suitable for situations where a stronger expression of regret would be inappropriate.

What are some alternatives to "somewhat regrettable"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly unfortunate", "mildly disappointing", or "a little unfortunate" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "somewhat regrettable"?

The phrase "somewhat regrettable" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It can be used in professional and news contexts, but it's not overly stiff or stilted.