Cool MateRegret vs Sorry about that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Regret
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Sorry about that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Regret
| Regret | Sorry about that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɒri əˈbaʊt ðæt//🇺🇸 //ˈsɔri əˈbaʊt ðæt// |
| Meaning | To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. | An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience. |
| Example | I regret not studying harder for my exams. | I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to, bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to | sorry about that mistake, sorry about that delay, sorry about that accident, sorry about that confusion, sorry about that interruption |
| Antonyms | satisfaction, contentment, pride | - |
| Common mistakes | '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. | Using it for serious offenses; it's too casual., Forgetting to provide a reason for the apology., Not using it in the right tone; it can sound insincere if not expressed well. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'sorry about that' to apologize for minor issues. It is appropriate in casual and semi-formal contexts, but avoid in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Regret vs Sorry about that
What's the difference between Regret and Sorry about that?
Regret: To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. Sorry about that: An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience.
Which is more common: Regret and Sorry about that?
Regret is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Regret: I regret not studying harder for my exams. Sorry about that: I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink.
Can I use Regret and Sorry about that interchangeably?
Not always. Regret and Sorry about that 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.