touch of regret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch of regret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a slight feeling of remorse or sadness about a situation or decision. Example: "As she looked back on her choices, there was a touch of regret in her voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

When the test drive was over, I gave the big yellow taxi back with a touch of regret.

The New York Times

A touch of regret arrived with more breadsticks when the talk turned to the loss of old comrades.

The New York Times

They may harbour a touch of regret that they did not put a shaky Celtic defence under more concerted pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

But he was quick to add, with a touch of regret, "Russia will be left without its own airplanes".

The New York Times

When asked if those events were now tinged with a touch of regret, Wenger said: "I don't go into the game thinking that.

Independent

But I am a tiger who can't be a vegetarian!' " The human Mao, like the human Jiang Qing, has been lost to history, a development Anchee regards with both relief and a touch of regret.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I got the class ring/ She got the diamond and a wedding band," Kramer sings with the right touch of winsome regret.

The Guardian - Music

The new film, like its predecessor, is rich in malapropism ("A total laughing stick"), and Stiller even conjures a touch of sweet regret when Derek, landing in Rome, encounters his former rival, Hansel (Owen Wilson), and finds the good grace to admit, "I miss not knowing things with you".

The New Yorker

Mr. Frechette, a veteran of Greenberg plays, brings an anchoring sense of brotherly warmth to the proceedings and a touching note of regret for a life unlived.

The New York Times

In The Muir, set to Irish and Scottish folk songs arranged by Beethoven, he presents life as a picnic, touched by moments of regret but essentially sunlit.

The Guardian

His words of regret touched off a debate in India about what Britain's current leaders owe India's citizens, if anything, for the errors of their predecessors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch of regret" to subtly convey a mild feeling of disappointment or remorse, avoiding stronger terms when the situation doesn't warrant intense emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "touch of regret" when a situation clearly calls for a stronger expression of remorse. Using it inappropriately can undermine the gravity of the situation and sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch of regret" functions as a modifier describing the presence of a mild feeling of remorse or disappointment. It adds emotional nuance to a statement. Ludwig indicates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "touch of regret" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, typically employed to convey a mild sense of remorse or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. It functions as a modifier, softening the expression of negative feelings. While not overly formal, it suits neutral registers. To amplify or diminish the emotional impact, consider alternatives such as "hint of remorse" or "tinge of sadness". Avoid using it when stronger terms are more appropriate to the situation. The phrase appears less frequently in formal business or scientific contexts. Ludwig examples support this conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of remorse

Uses 'remorse' instead of 'regret', suggesting a slightly stronger feeling of guilt or sorrow.

tinge of sadness

Replaces 'regret' with 'sadness', focusing on the emotional aspect of disappointment.

slight feeling of regret

More explicit and less idiomatic than "touch of regret".

shade of disappointment

Emphasizes the disappointment aspect of the feeling, rather than the regret.

vestige of remorse

Uses 'vestige' to imply a small remaining trace of remorse from a past event.

fleeting sense of regret

Highlights the brief or temporary nature of the feeling of regret.

undertone of regret

Suggests the regret is not openly expressed but subtly present.

whisper of regret

Implies the regret is barely noticeable or only subtly expressed.

mild regret

A more straightforward and less nuanced way of expressing a small degree of regret.

aftertaste of regret

Suggests the regret lingers after an event or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "touch of regret" in a sentence?

You can use "touch of regret" to express a slight feeling of remorse or sadness about something. For example, "Looking back, she felt a touch of regret for not pursuing her dreams".

What phrases are similar to "touch of regret"?

Alternatives to "touch of regret" include "hint of remorse", "tinge of sadness", or "slight feeling of regret".

Is it appropriate to use "touch of regret" in formal writing?

Yes, "touch of regret" is suitable for formal writing when you want to express a mild and subtle feeling of remorse or disappointment without being overly dramatic.

When should I avoid using the phrase "touch of regret"?

Avoid using "touch of regret" if the situation warrants a stronger expression of remorse or guilt. In such cases, use phrases like "deep regret" or "profound remorse" instead.