sorry that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorry that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express regret for something that happened in the past. For example: "I am sorry that I forgot to pick you up from the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

God, I'm sorry, that was mean.

The New Yorker

No, sorry, that is not my way.

The New Yorker

No, sorry, that doesn't work.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm sorry, that doesn't interest me".

The New Yorker

—Sorry, that wasn't funny.

Vice

Sorry that message wasn't meant for you".

WikiHow

Sorry, that was bad.

The Guardian - Sport

Sorry, that was unkind.

The New York Times

Sorry, that was not correct.

The New York Times

Sorry, that was a mistake.

The Guardian

Sorry, that is an understatement.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorry that" when you want to express regret or apology for a past event or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what you are apologizing for.

Common error

Avoid using "sorry that" as a general expression of sympathy without specifying what you are sorry about. Be precise about the reason for your apology to ensure clarity and sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorry that" functions as an expression of apology or regret. It introduces a clause that specifies the reason for the speaker's sorrow or remorse. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sorry that" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey regret or apology for a specific situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, although most commonly found in news and media. When using "sorry that", clarity is key: ensure you explicitly state what you are apologizing for to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "I regret that" or "It's unfortunate that" exist, "sorry that" maintains a versatile and sincere tone suitable for many scenarios. The phrase's frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscore its validity and importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i regret that

Directly states the speaker's feeling of regret.

i apologize that

A more formal way to express regret.

regrettable that

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the situation.

unfortunate that

Highlights the bad luck or negative circumstances.

i'm saddened that

Highlights the speaker's sadness.

sadly that

Expresses sadness about the situation.

it's a shame that

Expresses disappointment about an undesirable outcome.

it's a pity that

Indicates disappointment or sorrow.

i'm so sorry to hear that

A more empathetic expression of sympathy.

i'm afraid that

Soften the impact when delivering bad news.

FAQs

How do I use "sorry that" in a sentence?

You can use "sorry that" to express regret for something. For example, "I'm "sorry that" I missed your birthday party."

What are some alternatives to saying "sorry that"?

Alternatives include "I regret that", "It's unfortunate that", or "I apologize for". Each carries a slightly different nuance depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I'm sorry for that" instead of "sorry that"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct, but "sorry that" is typically followed by a clause (a subject and a verb), whereas "sorry for that" is followed by a noun phrase or pronoun. You can also express a similar sentiment using "apologize for that".

What's the difference between "sorry that" and "excuse me"?

"Sorry that" expresses regret or apology, while "excuse me" is used to politely interrupt, ask someone to move, or correct a minor social faux pas. They serve different communicative purposes.