truly sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

"truly sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express feelings of genuine regret and remorse. For example: "I am truly sorry for any distress my actions have caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are truly sorry".

The New York Times - Sports

I am truly sorry".

The New York Times

I'm truly, truly sorry.

The New York Times

And that is truly sorry.

The Washington Post

I felt truly sorry for her.

The New York Times

I feel awful and am truly sorry.

Independent

Dear, dear, I am truly sorry.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We are truly sorry for that.

The Guardian

"And for that I am truly sorry.

The Washington Post

For this accident, I am truly sorry.

The New Yorker

For that I am truly sorry".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "truly sorry", ensure your tone and actions align with your words to convey sincerity and rebuild trust. Use this phrase when the situation merits a genuine expression of regret.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly saying "truly sorry" without showing concrete steps to rectify the situation or prevent future occurrences. Empty apologies can erode trust further. If you find yourself saying "truly sorry" often, ensure you also highlight the steps you are taking to change behaviour.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly sorry" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and commonly employed to express genuine regret or remorse, adding emphasis to the feeling of being sorry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truly sorry" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey sincere regret or apology. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It functions as an adverbial intensifier, adding emphasis to the feeling of being sorry. It is versatile across various contexts, including news, business, and academic settings, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure your actions align with your words to demonstrate genuine remorse and commitment to improvement. Avoid overusing it without concrete steps, as empty apologies can damage trust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly regret

A more direct way of expressing regret, without the adjective.

genuinely regretful

Emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity of the remorse felt.

deeply apologetic

Highlights the depth and intensity of the apology being offered.

sincerely remorseful

Focuses on the genuine feeling of regret and guilt.

extremely contrite

Indicates a profound sense of guilt and willingness to atone.

offer my sincerest apologies

A formal and respectful way to convey an apology.

utterly ashamed

Highlights the feeling of shame and embarrassment.

deeply saddened

Expresses sorrow and grief over the situation.

profoundly moved to apologize

Highlights that the regret and apology is so deep it moves you.

take full responsibility and apologize

Highlights accepting blame and taking ownership with an apology.

FAQs

How can I use "truly sorry" in a sentence?

You can use "truly sorry" to express genuine remorse for something you have done. For example, you might say, "I am "truly sorry" for the mistake I made and the impact it had."

What are some alternatives to saying "truly sorry"?

Alternatives to "truly sorry" include "genuinely regretful", "deeply apologetic", or "sincerely remorseful", depending on the level of intensity you want to convey.

Which is correct, "I'm sorry" or "I'm truly sorry"?

Both "I'm sorry" and "I'm "truly sorry"" are correct, but "I'm "truly sorry"" emphasizes a deeper level of remorse. Use "I'm "truly sorry"" when you want to convey a more sincere and heartfelt apology.

What's the difference between "sorry" and "truly sorry"?

"Sorry" is a general expression of regret, while ""truly sorry"" indicates a stronger and more sincere feeling of remorse. The addition of "truly" intensifies the apology and conveys a deeper level of regret.