Cool MateApologize vs I am sorry vs Regret
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apologize
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
I am sorry
Top 1,000 (very common)
Regret
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| Apologize | I am sorry | Regret | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/","/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzɪz/","/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzd/","/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz/","/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzɪz/","/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzd/","/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ æm ˈsɒri//🇺🇸 //aɪ æm ˈsɔri// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To say sorry for something you did wrong. | I feel bad about what I did. | To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. |
| Example | I had to apologize to her for breaking her favorite vase. | I'm sorry for being late to the meeting. | I regret not studying harder for my exams. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | sincerely, profusely, humbly, ought to, should, want to, for, to, I do apologize, I must apologize | say I'm sorry, feel sorry, sorry for | bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to, bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to |
| Antonyms | ignore, offend, upset | - | satisfaction, contentment, pride |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'apologize' with 'apology' (the noun form)., Using 'apologize' without specifying whom you are apologizing to., Mistakenly using past tense 'apologized' when 'apologize' is correct in present tense. | Using 'I'm sorry' in overly casual settings when 'my bad' might be better., Confusing 'I'm sorry' with 'excuse me' in interruption contexts., Not pairing it with an explanation or solution in formal situations. | '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 'apologize' in situations where you need to express regret for your actions. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious using it in very casual situations where slang may be preferred. | Use when you want to express regret. It's suitable in most situations but may be too formal for very casual contexts. | 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: Apologize vs I am sorry vs Regret
What's the difference between Apologize, I am sorry, and Regret?
Apologize: To say sorry for something you did wrong. I am sorry: I feel bad about what I did. Regret: To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do.
Which is more advanced: Apologize, I am sorry, and Regret?
Regret is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Apologize: I had to apologize to her for breaking her favorite vase. I am sorry: I'm sorry for being late to the meeting. Regret: I regret not studying harder for my exams.
Can I use Apologize, I am sorry, and Regret interchangeably?
Not always. Apologize, I am sorry, 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.