Meaning & use
regrettably
Last updated
Meanings
adverbnot comparable
Used to introduce something you are sorry about or wish were different, usually bad news.
Grammar: Often stands at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma: Regrettably, the event is canceled.
Patterns
- Regrettably, + clause
Regrettably, we cannot offer you a refund after thirty days.
The library will, regrettably, close on Sundays from next month.
Regrettably, several of the old buildings were torn down.
adverbnot comparable
In a way that deserves blame or sorrow because it is wrong or unfortunate.
Grammar: Modifies an adjective or verb to say the result is a sad one: regrettably slow progress.
Patterns
- regrettably + adjective
The report was regrettably short on detail.
He behaved regrettably toward his colleagues during the dispute.
The ending of the film was regrettably predictable.
Common combinations
- regrettably, however
- Regrettably, however, the funds were never released.
- regrettably common
- Mistakes of this kind are regrettably common.
- regrettably absent
- The manager was regrettably absent from the meeting.
- regrettably true
- It is regrettably true that costs have risen again.
- must regrettably decline
- We must regrettably decline your kind invitation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unfortunately
- Unfortunately is the everyday choice and carries no hint of formality, whereas regrettably sounds more official and suggests the speaker feels some sorrow.
- sadly
- Sadly sounds more personal and emotional, so it fits conversation better than the cooler, institutional regrettably.
- sorry to say
- Sorry to say is a spoken phrase that puts the speaker's feelings first, while regrettably is a single word suited to written notices.
- lamentably
- Lamentably is stronger and more literary, suggesting deep disappointment rather than polite regret.
Opposites
Word family
- regret verb
- to feel sorry about something that happened or that you did
- regret noun
- a feeling of sadness about something in the past
- regrettable adjective
- causing or deserving regret
- regretful adjective
- feeling or showing sorrow about something
- regretfully adverb
- in a way that shows personal sorrow
Commonly confused: regrettably or regretfully?
regrettably vs regretfully
Regretfully describes how the person feels or acts (he sighed regretfully), whereas regrettably comments on the situation itself (regrettably, the shop is closed).
Practice
Which word best completes the formal notice: '___, the museum will be closed for repairs until March.'?
Choose one answer.
Regrettably is a sentence adverb that comments on unwelcome news. Regretfully describes the feelings of a person, and the other two are not adverbs.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “regrettably”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.