Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

that's regrettable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(8)

that's unfortunate

it's a shame

it's a pity

it's disappointing

it is a matter of regret

it's regrettable

that's a pity

that's too bad

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's true that welfare programs are unpopular, and from a social justice perspective that's regrettable.

News & Media

Huffington Post

That's regrettable.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I think that's regrettable.

News & Media

The New York Times

And that's regrettable, because the internet is no place to raise a baby.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were looking at how to attack the test in a court of law, and that's regrettable".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"I think that's regrettable but it's a reflection of the fact that the public has lost faith and we as editors can't ignore that.

News & Media

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But in some ways that is regrettable.

News & Media

The Guardian - Business

If we fall out with Ben Bradshaw that is regrettable but that is not the performance indicator here.

News & Media

The Guardian

Like so much that is regrettable about modern politics, party conferences have become what they are for ostensibly good reasons.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

"If people were offended by what happened then, in some ways, that is regrettable.

News & Media

BBC

"We all have issues that happen on our watch that are regrettable," Baha said.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's regrettable" to express mild disappointment or sorrow when acknowledging a negative situation or outcome. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "that's regrettable" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your expressions of regret by incorporating phrases like "that's unfortunate" or "it's a shame".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's regrettable" serves as a concise expression of mild disappointment or sorrow. It functions as a statement acknowledging an undesirable situation or outcome, often with a sense of acceptance or resignation. As suggested by Ludwig, it conveys a sentiment of wishing things were otherwise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

Less common in

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that's regrettable" functions as a statement that expresses mild disappointment or sorrow. Grammatically correct and versatile, its usage spans formal and informal contexts, though it is most frequently observed in news and media sources. Alternatives such as "that's unfortunate" or "it's a pity" can provide nuanced alternatives, maintaining clarity while diversifying expression. According to Ludwig's findings, its communicative purpose involves acknowledging negativity without being overly emotional. Remember to be mindful to avoid overuse, which will diminish the intended impact and lead to the writing sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's regrettable

Similar in meaning, but the use of 'it' instead of 'that' alters the emphasis slightly.

that's unfortunate

Expresses disappointment, often about a situation that can't be changed.

that's a pity

Indicates a feeling of sorrow or compassion for someone or something.

it's a shame

Implies a sense of loss or something not turning out as desired.

it's disappointing

Directly conveys the feeling of being let down or unsatisfied.

that's a cause for regret

More formal and emphasizes the reason for feeling regretful.

it's a matter of regret

Similar to "cause for regret" but focuses on the ongoing nature of the regret.

that's lamentable

Stronger and more formal, suggesting deep sorrow or grief.

it's a blow

Suggests something negative has struck.

that's too bad

A more casual and dismissive expression of disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "that's regrettable" in a sentence?

"That's regrettable" is used to express disappointment or sorrow about a particular situation. For example, "That's regrettable that the project didn't receive funding" or "If that's the case then I would be the first to say "that's regrettable"".

What are some alternatives to saying "that's regrettable"?

Alternatives include "that's unfortunate", "it's a pity", or "it's disappointing". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "that's regrettable" formal or informal?

"That's regrettable" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal settings. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "it is a matter of regret" or "that's a cause for regret" for very formal contexts.

What's the difference between "that's regrettable" and "that's unfortunate"?

Both phrases express disappointment, but ""that's regrettable"" implies a sense of sorrow or remorse, while ""that's unfortunate"" simply acknowledges an undesirable situation without necessarily implying personal regret.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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that's regrettableGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

that's regrettable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples