regret
- be sorry
sadness and disappointment
Regret and be sorry are both used to say that someone feels sadness or disappointment about something that has happened, or about something they have done. Regret is more formal than be sorry.
You can say that you regret something or are sorry about it.
I immediately regretted my decision.
Astrid was sorry about leaving abruptly.
You can also say that you regret or are sorry that something has happened.
Pisarev regretted that no real changes had occurred.
He was sorry he had agreed to stay.
You can also say that you regret doing something.
None of the women I spoke to regretted making this change.
Be careful
Don't say that you ‘are sorry doing’ something.
Don't say that you ‘are sorry doing’ something.
apologizing
When you are apologizing to someone for something that has happened, you can say that you are sorry about it.
I'm sorry about the mess – I'll clean up.
You can also report someone's apology by saying that they are sorry about something.
She was very sorry about all the trouble she'd caused.
Be careful
Don't say that you are ‘sorry for’ something.
Don't say that you are ‘sorry for’ something.
In conversation, don't apologize by saying that you ‘regret’ something. Regret is only used in formal letters and announcements.
London Transport regrets any inconvenience caused by these delays.
giving bad news
When you are giving someone some bad news, you can begin by saying ‘I’m sorry to tell you...'. In a formal letter, you say ‘I regret to inform you...’.
I'm very sorry to tell you this, but she's dead.
I regret to inform you that your application has not been successful.