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Slide Notes

What's the difference between 'regret saying' and 'regret to say'?

The meaning of 'regret' is similar to 'feel sorry', but it is a much stronger word. You can feel sorry about small things. You usually regret things that really hurt someone.
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Problem Verbs: Regret

Published on Nov 22, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Problem Verbs: Regret

Gerund or Infinitive?
What's the difference between 'regret saying' and 'regret to say'?

The meaning of 'regret' is similar to 'feel sorry', but it is a much stronger word. You can feel sorry about small things. You usually regret things that really hurt someone.

Regret + -ing

Why did I do that?
Use regret + ~ing when you strongly feel sorry for or disappointed with something you did.

Since 'regret' is the verb, you can use it in any tense.

I regret TAKING this class. I hate it!

Regret eating ...

You'll feel sick!
Tomorrow, you'll regret EATING that pizza by yourself! You will have a terrible stomachache.
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Regret getting ...

Why did I do that?
I regret GETTING that tattoo. My mother will hate it!
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Something to remember ...

We all make mistakes. We can't change the past. Think about changing the future!

Regret to

Bad news is coming.
Use regret + ~to to give someone bad news. This is not a commonly used expression, but it is useful in certain situations.

Since 'regret' is the verb, you can use it in any tense, but present tense is most common.

Only use 'regret' with communication type verbs like say, tell, and inform.
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Regret to tell

Bad news is coming ...
I regret TO TELL you that you are fired.

Regret to inform

For when someone died ...
I regret TO INFORM you that your son has died.

This is usually used by officials like military, police, or hospital staff. Family members and friends generally don't use such a serious expression.
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