this regrettable incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this regrettable incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an unfortunate event or situation that has occurred, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "We sincerely apologize for this regrettable incident and are taking steps to ensure it does not happen again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The Historic Districts Council has requested full public disclosure documenting decisions made in this regrettable incident.

The New York Times

"This regrettable incident aside, we still take comfort in some finds by other diggers in this area," Mr. Masaomi said.

The New York Times

"In relation to this regrettable incident, studio security staff reacted as swiftly as possible to defuse the situation.

The Guardian

Hout and Petersen need to look in the mirror and re-examine their contributions to this regrettable incident.

The New York Times

"Had there been a second armed teacher in the classroom to shoot the first armed teacher, this regrettable incident would never have occurred," Wayne LaPierre said.

The New Yorker

"We will be waiting for a full report from the Taliban authorities in the nearest future on all aspects of this regrettable incident," Mr. Ngobi said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Leaders of the Organized Taxi Drivers of Mexico City union said they were not involved in the "regrettable" incident.

Independent

At Wednesday's protest, leaders of the Organised Taxi Drivers of Mexico City union denied any involvement in the "regrettable" incident.

The Guardian - Tech

Commenting on the outburst, Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement that he was "saddened by the regrettable incident".

The New York Times - Sports

In the seven summers since that regrettable incident, David has become a restaurant critic, and Daniel and Katie, now 14 and 11, have matured into paragons of patience and decorum.

The New York Times

"We are aware of the regrettable incident involving a Pakistani prisoner, Sanaullah Ranjay, who was injured today during an altercation with another inmate of a jail in Jammu" said Syed Akbaruddin, spokesman for India's ministry of external affairs on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this regrettable incident", follow it with specific actions being taken to address the situation or prevent recurrence, demonstrating accountability and a commitment to improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "this regrettable incident" in casual conversations or informal writing. It is better suited for formal statements, official reports, or when addressing serious issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this regrettable incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it introduces an unfortunate event in a formal or serious context. For instance, it might preface an explanation or apology.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this regrettable incident" is a grammatically sound and usable expression best suited for formal contexts like news reports, official statements, or serious discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, it effectively serves to introduce and acknowledge an unfortunate event, often with an implied promise of further explanation or resolution. Its primary use is within "News & Media", and users should avoid it in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "this unfortunate event" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this unfortunate event

Replaces 'regrettable' with 'unfortunate', maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

this regrettable situation

Changes 'incident' to 'situation', offering a slightly broader scope.

this regrettable matter

Substitutes 'incident' with 'matter', making the phrase more general.

this regrettable episode

Changes 'incident' to 'episode', implying a distinct and contained event.

this unfortunate circumstance

Employs 'circumstance' instead of 'incident', softening the impact slightly.

this lamentable situation

Substitutes 'regrettable incident' with a more formal and emphatic expression.

this unfortunate occurrence

Uses a different noun ('occurrence') to describe the event, while keeping the negative connotation.

this unfortunate development

Substitutes 'incident' with 'development', suggesting a progression of events.

this unhappy episode

Replaces 'regrettable incident' with a phrase that emphasizes the negative emotional impact.

this unfortunate affair

Replaces 'incident' with 'affair', suggesting a more complex or scandalous event.

FAQs

What does "this regrettable incident" mean?

It refers to an unfortunate event or situation that one wishes had not occurred, often implying a sense of sorrow or regret.

How to use "this regrettable incident" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a formal apology or explanation. For example, "We apologize for "this regrettable incident" and are taking steps to prevent it from happening again."

What can I say instead of "this regrettable incident"?

You can use alternatives like "this unfortunate event", "this lamentable situation", or "this unfortunate occurrence" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "this regrettable incident"?

It is most appropriate in formal settings, such as official statements, reports, or when addressing serious matters. Avoid using it in casual conversation.