they may regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they may regret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the possibility that someone will feel remorse or disappointment about a decision or action in the future. Example: "If they choose to ignore the warning signs, they may regret their decision later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

As it is they have failed to deal seriously with the much-valued "grey vote" – it is a decision they may regret on 6 May.

The Guardian

They may regret that.

The New York Times

They may regret it.

The Washington Post

They may regret not paying closer attention.

The Economist

This is something they may regret in the coming months.

Independent

But unless they compromise, they may regret having started this battle.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Others may regret they were not given a more memorable moniker.

The Economist

Sunshine on the second day changed the pitch, removing swing from the equation, and although they batted well Warwickshire may regret that none of their batsmen went on to make a really big score.

BBC

They acknowledge that the agent may regret the option issuing from these deliberations but differ about the regret's significance.

SEP

You may regret it later in life in case they actually go and something bad happens.

WikiHow

They may have been a little harsh in their punishment and may regret it later.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they may regret", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or decision might lead to future regret. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they may regret" when the outcome is already known or certain. Use stronger language if the regret is a guaranteed result, such as "they will regret".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they may regret" functions as a modal expression of potential future regret. It combines the pronoun "they" with the modal verb "may", indicating possibility, and the verb "regret", expressing a feeling of sorrow or disappointment over something done or left undone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they may regret" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses the possibility of future remorse or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and appears most often in News & Media and Academia sources. When writing, remember to use it when expressing a possibility, rather than a certainty. Alternatives such as "they might lament" or "they could be sorry" can provide different shades of meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they might come to regret

Adds the phrase "come to", emphasizing the gradual realization of regret over time.

they might lament

Replaces "may" with "might" and "regret" with "lament", indicating a sense of sorrow or mourning.

they may later deplore

Substitutes "regret" with "deplore", indicating strong disapproval and regret.

they may feel remorse

Replaces "regret" with "remorse", implying a deeper and more moral form of regret.

they could rue the day

Uses a more dramatic expression, "rue the day", suggesting intense regret and wishing something had never happened.

they could be sorry

Offers a simpler and more direct expression of potential future regret.

they could look back in sorrow

Emphasizes the act of reflecting on a past decision with sadness.

they might think twice about

Suggests a reconsideration motivated by potential regret, rather than the regret itself.

they might have second thoughts

Implies a reconsideration due to anticipated regret.

they may face repercussions

Focuses on the negative consequences they might experience, which could lead to regret.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they may regret" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "they might lament", "they could rue the day", or "they may later deplore".

What's a less formal way to say "they may regret"?

In more casual contexts, you can use alternatives like "they could be sorry" or "they might think twice about".

How to use "they may regret" in a sentence?

Use "they may regret" to express a potential future feeling of remorse or disappointment, as in "If they choose to ignore the warning signs, "they may regret" their decision later."

What's the difference between "they may regret" and "they will regret"?

"They may regret" suggests a possibility of future regret, while "they will regret" implies a certainty. The former is less definitive than the latter.