Cool MateI feel guilt vs Regret vs Shame
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I feel guilt
Top 2,000 (common)
Regret
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Shame
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
| I feel guilt | Regret | Shame | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪ fiːl ɡɪlt//🇺🇸 //aɪ fil ɡɪlt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃeɪm/"]/ |
| Meaning | I have a feeling of being bad about something I did. | To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. | A feeling of being embarrassed or guilty about something. |
| Example | I feel guilt about not visiting my grandmother last week. | I regret not studying harder for my exams. | He felt a deep sense of shame after realizing his mistake. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun | |
| Collocations | feel guilt, overcome guilt, guilt trip, guilt about, guilt for | bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to, bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to | awful, great, real, shame about, a bit of a shame, rather a shame, such a shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame |
| Antonyms | - | satisfaction, contentment, pride | pride, honor, confidence |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'guilt' as a verb - 'guilt' is a noun., Using 'feels' instead of 'feel' with 'I' as the subject., Incorrectly using 'guilt' in positive 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. | 'Shame' confused with 'guilt' - they're related but not the same., Using 'shame' inappropriately as an action verb, e.g., 'to shame someone' can be too strong in casual conversation., Mixing up 'shame' with 'shaming' – the former is a noun while the latter is a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'feel guilt' when expressing remorse. It is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written 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. | Use 'shame' when talking about feelings of guilt or embarrassment. It's appropriate in most contexts but can feel heavy or serious. Avoid in light-hearted conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: I feel guilt vs Regret vs Shame
What's the difference between I feel guilt, Regret, and Shame?
I feel guilt: I have a feeling of being bad about something I did. Regret: To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. Shame: A feeling of being embarrassed or guilty about something.
Can you show an example of each?
I feel guilt: I feel guilt about not visiting my grandmother last week. Regret: I regret not studying harder for my exams. Shame: He felt a deep sense of shame after realizing his mistake.
Can I use I feel guilt, Regret, and Shame interchangeably?
Not always. I feel guilt, Regret, and Shame 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.