- Have you ever wondered whether to say you “feel regret” or “have regret”?
- Do you know the subtle difference between “regret to inform” and “regret informing”?
- Are you looking for more sophisticated ways to express remorse in professional emails?
Mastering Regret Collocations is a vital step toward achieving natural English fluency. Instead of relying on simple vocabulary, using the right combinations of words allows you to express precise emotions and maintain the appropriate level of formality, whether you are writing a business apology or speaking with a friend.
Common Collocations with REGRET as a Verb
Adverbs of Intensity (How much do you regret it?)
In English, we often use specific adverbs to show the depth of our feeling. These are essential for adding nuance to your speech.
- Deeply regret: Used for serious matters. “The company deeply regrets the technical error that affected our customers.”
- Bitterly regret: Often used for personal choices or missed opportunities. “He bitterly regretted not taking the job offer when he had the chance.”
- Sincerely regret: Common in formal correspondence and apologies. “We sincerely regret any distress this announcement may have caused.”
Grammatical Patterns and Meaning
The verb “regret” changes meaning slightly depending on the grammatical structure that follows it. This is a common area for learner errors.
- Regret to say/inform/tell: Used to give bad news (present/future focus). “I regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.”
- Regret doing [something]: Looking back at a past action. “I regret buying such an expensive car; the maintenance is too high.”
- Regret that: A formal way to introduce a fact you are sorry about. “The school regrets that the field trip has been canceled.”
Essential Collocations using REGRET as a Noun
Common Verbs Used with the Noun
When “regret” is a noun, it needs a partner verb to function correctly in a sentence.
- Express regret: To say or write that you are sorry. “The diplomat expressed regret over the misunderstanding.”
- Feel regret: The internal emotion of being sorry. “She felt a pang of regret as she watched the old house being torn down.”
- Have no regrets: To be satisfied with your past decisions. “Despite the challenges, I have no regrets about moving abroad.”
- Voice regrets: To speak your regrets out loud. “He voiced his regrets during his retirement speech.”
Adjectives for the Noun “Regret”
Use these adjectives to describe the type of regret you are experiencing.
- Profound regret: A very deep, serious feeling. “It is with profound regret that we announce the passing of our founder.”
- A ting of regret / A pang of regret: A sharp, sudden, or small feeling of regret. “I felt a twinge of regret when I saw my old friends together without me.”
- Lifelong regret: Something you feel sorry about for your entire life. “Not finishing university was his lifelong regret.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Deeply regret | Verb + Adverb | To be very sorry about a situation. |
| Regret to inform | Verb + Infinitive | A formal way to deliver bad news. |
| Express regret | Verb + Noun | To communicate that you are sorry. |
| Profound regret | Adjective + Noun | An extremely deep feeling of sorrow. |
| With regret | Prepositional Phrase | Used to introduce news you are sorry about. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I regret for my mistake. | I regret my mistake. (No preposition needed after the verb). |
| I make a regret. | I have a regret or I feel regret. |
| I regret to buy that phone yesterday. | I regret buying that phone yesterday. (Use -ing for past actions). |
| With many regrets, I must leave. | With great regret, I must leave. |
Regret Collocations in Action
“Subject: Resignation – John Doe
Dear Manager, It is with great regret that I submit my formal resignation today. While I have enjoyed my time here, I sincerely regret that personal circumstances require me to relocate immediately. I have no regrets regarding the projects we completed together, but I deeply regret any inconvenience my sudden departure may cause the team. I regret to say that my last day will be Friday.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Regret Collocations
Is it “regret to inform” or “regret informing”?
Use “regret to inform” when you are about to give bad news (e.g., “I regret to inform you that you failed”). Use “regret informing” when you are looking back at the act of telling someone something and you wish you hadn’t (e.g., “I regret informing him about the secret because he told everyone”).
Can “regret” be used as a plural noun?
Yes, “regrets” is commonly used in the plural, especially in the phrase “to have no regrets” or when sending a formal “regrets” note to decline an invitation (e.g., “Please accept my regrets, I cannot attend the wedding”).
What preposition follows the noun “regret”?
The noun “regret” is usually followed by “over,” “about,” or “at.” For example: “His regret over the decision,” “My regret about the argument,” or “Expression of regret at the news.”
How do I say “I regret” more formally in a business setting?
In professional contexts, use phrases like “We deeply regret the inconvenience,” “It is with regret that we announce,” or “Please accept our sincere regrets.” These sound more objective and polished than “I am sorry.”
What is the difference between “bitterly regret” and “deeply regret”?
“Bitterly regret” often carries a sense of personal resentment or sadness over a mistake that can’t be fixed. “Deeply regret” is more standard and widely used for any serious situation, including official apologies.
This article is a treasure trove for understanding natural English. The emphasis on collocations rather than just single words is key. More like this, please!
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Liam! We completely agree that mastering collocations is essential for sounding natural and fluent. We'll certainly continue to provide more content focused on these vital word partnerships!
I find 'bitterly regret' very evocative. It paints a picture. Are there other adverbs that add such a strong, specific emotional color to 'regret'?
That's a wonderful way to describe it, Kimiko – 'evocative'! Beyond 'deeply,' 'bitterly,' and 'sincerely,' you might encounter 'profoundly regret' (as discussed with Chen, for extreme seriousness) or 'greatly regret.' While 'greatly' is strong, it's often more general than 'bitterly,' which specifically suggests a sharp, painful, or lingering disappointment. The intensity comes from combining a strong verb like 'regret' with a powerful adverb.
I'm trying to improve my writing for academic essays. How would these collocations fit into a more formal academic context, for example, acknowledging a limitation or an error in research?
Excellent question, Javier! In academic contexts, 'regret' collocations can be very useful for acknowledging limitations or errors with appropriate formality. You might say: 'We regret that the scope of this study did not permit further exploration of...' or 'We sincerely regret any misinterpretation that may have arisen from our initial findings.' For a stronger acknowledgment of an error, 'We deeply regret the oversight in the data analysis.' It shows professionalism and self-awareness.
Can we also 'express regret'? For example, 'The government expressed regret over the incident.' Is that a formal collocation?
Yes, Isabella, absolutely! 'To express regret' is a very common and formal collocation, especially in official statements, news reports, or diplomatic language. It indicates that someone or an entity is articulating their remorse or sorrow publicly. Your example, 'The government expressed regret over the incident,' is perfect!
This is great. I always used to say 'I am regretful' but now I see 'I regret' is more natural. Thank you for the tip!
You're very welcome, Pablo! 'I regret' (verb) is indeed the more common and natural way to express the feeling. While 'I am regretful' is grammatically correct and means you are full of regret, it's an adjective and doesn't quite carry the same directness as the verb. Excellent observation!
I used to think 'regret' was just one simple word, but this article shows how much depth it can have! It makes me want to find out about other verbs and their collocations.
That's exactly the spirit we hope to inspire, Nadia! English is full of such nuances, and exploring collocations is a fantastic way to deepen your understanding and fluency. Keep that curiosity alive – it's the best tool for language learning!
I'm always trying to improve my professional email writing. These 'regret' collocations, especially 'sincerely regret,' are perfect for crafting polite apologies. What about saying 'deepest regrets' in a formal context? Is that common?
Hello Hiroshi! 'Deepest regrets' is indeed a common and highly formal way to express profound sorrow or apology. It's often used in written communication, particularly for very serious matters or condolences, for example, 'Please accept our deepest regrets for the tragic loss.' It conveys a very strong and respectful sentiment.
The difference between 'regret to inform' (about to do it) and 'regret informing' (already done) is a lifesaver for business communication. I'll be sharing this with my team!
That's wonderful to hear, Sophie! We're thrilled that this particular distinction will be so useful in your professional environment. Precision in language, especially in business, can make a huge difference. Thank you for sharing it!
Can 'regret' be used with 'a little bit' or 'slightly' for minor things, or would that sound unnatural? Like, 'I slightly regret buying that coffee,' for example.
That's an interesting thought, Kevin! While grammatically possible, 'I slightly regret' or 'I a little bit regret' tends to sound quite unnatural and less idiomatic in English. For minor things, native speakers would more commonly say something like, 'I wish I hadn't bought that coffee,' or 'I probably shouldn't have bought that coffee,' or even 'I regret buying that coffee, it wasn't very good.' The verb 'regret' itself often implies a certain level of significance, so softening it with 'slightly' feels a bit contradictory.
This article cleared up so much for me! I always worried about sounding too emotional or not emotional enough when expressing regret. Now I have the tools to choose the right word combination.
We're delighted to hear that, Maria! Finding the right balance in expressing emotion is a significant step towards natural fluency. Keep practicing these collocations, and you'll communicate your feelings with perfect precision!