very regrettably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very regrettably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sense of regret about a situation or decision. Example: "Very regrettably, we must inform you that your application has been denied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Quotas — very, very regrettably — still prevail".

The New York Times

The situation, very regrettably, is going to become a crisis," by which he meant bloodshed.

The New York Times

"Until work can be done to remedy the damage it will, very regrettably, not be possible to have the painting on public view".

The Guardian

"Very regrettably, I think what's going on here is that things have gotten very personal," said Randi Weingarten, president of the city teachers' union.

The New York Times

Reportedly, Spielberg first conceived the film around Lincoln's friendship with black abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who – very regrettably – isn't in the finished version at all.

The Guardian - Film

Very regrettably the bill was allowed to be talked out, mainly by Scottish MPs, some of whom saw this as a good opportunity to stir up anti-English feeling ahead of their May elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"This assessment was not very accurate, regrettably, and this is the reason they decided to solidify the assessment process," Mr. Takenaka said.

The New York Times

It's an assumption that leaves a lot of talented actors hanging, the exception being James Le Gros, who makes a very funny, regrettably brief appearance as a would-be Lothario who turns a rueful caress of his mustache into an epic of smut.

The New York Times

THURSDAY, JULY 21 Twice-weekly yoga session today and, regrettably, very bad yoga garb.

The New York Times

"I regret to inform you that I found one flaw in this otherwise perfect masterpiece, a flaw that is, regrettably, very common with you.

The Guardian - Books

(py Spark [16] and hadoop [17]: These modern frameworks are very powerful but regrettably too abstract for our purposes, as they prescind the location of individual portions of the full data.

Journal of Big Data

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context; while appropriate for formal and professional settings, it might sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "very regrettably" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unfortunately" in less serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very regrettably" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing the manner in which an action is performed or a statement is made. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys a strong sense of disappointment or sorrow.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very regrettably" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express a strong sense of regret or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts but also appears in scientific and formal business communications. While effective for conveying sincerity, overuse should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "unfortunately" or "sadly" for less formal situations. The phrase's relatively uncommon frequency suggests it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most regrettably

Emphasizes the regret even more strongly than "very regrettably".

deeply regrettably

Similar to "most regrettably", it amplifies the feeling of regret.

unfortunately

A more common and slightly less formal way to express regret.

sadly

Conveys sorrow or disappointment, similar to regret.

it is regrettable that

A more formal and explicit way to express regret about a situation.

to my regret

Expresses personal regret about something that happened.

I regret to say

Used to introduce unwelcome news or information.

I am sorry to say

Similar to "I regret to say" but can also express sympathy.

much to my dismay

Highlights the speaker's disappointment or distress.

it's a shame that

Expresses disappointment or disapproval about a situation.

FAQs

What does "very regrettably" mean?

The phrase "very regrettably" means expressing a strong sense of disappointment or sorrow about something. It's a more emphatic version of "regrettably" or "unfortunately".

When is it appropriate to use "very regrettably" in writing?

Use "very regrettably" when you want to emphasize your regret, especially when delivering bad news or acknowledging an unfortunate situation. Consider the context and audience to ensure it fits the tone.

What are some alternatives to "very regrettably"?

Alternatives include "unfortunately", "sadly", "it is regrettable that", or "to my regret", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "very regrettably" grammatically correct?

Yes, "very regrettably" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to express the manner in which an action is performed or a situation is perceived with strong regret.