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"he was sorry for what he did" vs "he was sorry for what he had done"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'He was sorry for what he did' is used when referring to a specific action in the past, while 'He was sorry for what he had done' is used when referring to a past action that had consequences or relevance to a later point in time.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

he was sorry for what he did

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a specific action in the past.

This phrase is used to express regret for a particular action that occurred in the past.

Examples:

  • He was sorry for what he did, but he couldn't change the outcome.
  • She was sorry for what she did to hurt his feelings.

Alternatives:

  • he was sorry for his actions
  • he regretted what he did
  • he felt remorseful for his actions
  • he apologized for what he did
  • he acknowledged his mistake

he was sorry for what he had done

This phrase is correct and is used when referring to a past action that had consequences or relevance to a later point in time.

This phrase is used to express regret for a past action that had an impact on a later event or situation.

Examples:

  • He was sorry for what he had done, as it caused a lot of trouble for his family.
  • She was sorry for what she had done, but the damage was already done.

Alternatives:

  • he was sorry for his past actions
  • he regretted what he had done
  • he felt remorseful for his past actions
  • he apologized for what he had done
  • he acknowledged his past mistake

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