Cool MateApologies vs Regret
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apologies
Top 2,000 (common)
Regret
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Regret
| Apologies | Regret | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈpɒlədʒiz//🇺🇸 //əˈpɑːlədʒiz// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Saying you're sorry for something you did wrong. | To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. |
| Example | He made his apologies to the crowd for being late. | I regret not studying harder for my exams. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | extend apologies, offer apologies, accept apologies, make an apology, issue apologies | bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to, bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to |
| Antonyms | refusal, insult, offense | satisfaction, contentment, pride |
| Common mistakes | Using 'apologies' without specifying what for., Confusing 'apologies' with 'apologize' as a verb., Overusing 'apologies' in casual contexts. | 'Regret' is often confused with 'remorse'. Remorse includes a stronger sense of guilt., Learners might say 'I regret to do...' instead of 'I regret doing...'., Confusion between 'regret' and 'regrettable' which is an adjective. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apologies' in both formal and informal settings. In formal contexts, use complete phrases like 'I offer my sincere apologies'. Avoid using it in casual conversations where just 'sorry' may suffice. | Use 'regret' to express feelings about past actions. It's appropriate in neutral to formal contexts, but less so in casual conversations where simpler phrases might fit better. |
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Frequently asked questions: Apologies vs Regret
What's the difference between Apologies and Regret?
Apologies: Saying you're sorry for something you did wrong. Regret: To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do.
Which is more common: Apologies and Regret?
Regret is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Apologies: He made his apologies to the crowd for being late. Regret: I regret not studying harder for my exams.
Can I use Apologies and Regret interchangeably?
Not always. Apologies and Regret are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.