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

These are both acceptable phrases, but they would be used in somewhat dissimilar 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.

Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: December 21, 2024 • 8437 views

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.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 22, 2024

Jan 9, 2024 ... I'm not saying that to be cruel either, I really don't think he was sorry for what he did.
Nov 14, 2024 ... ... he was sorry for what he did to me, and he cried in the passenger seat of my car. It was the realest dream I've ever had. The way he hugged ...
Oct 28, 2016 ... Annies dad said to her that he was sorry for what he did and that he would always be on her side. Later RB said Annie had to prove herself as being loyal.
Nov 14, 2024 ... ... he was sorry for what he did to me, that I hadn't deserved that. It was the realest dream I've ever had. The way he hugged me… just so many ...
Jan 26, 2006 ... He was sorry for what he did; he even took his own life out of regret. But being sorry for our sins isn't the same as repenting of them and ...
Because the word metamelomai is used in Matthew 27:3, it means Judas Iscariot did not “repent” in the sense that he was sorry for what he did and wanted to ...
Dec 7, 2009 ... I knew that he was sorry for what he did to me. I knew it. I felt it. I didn't need for him to explain to me why he did it, ( he admitted ...
Jan 9, 2014 ... When I first saw the film( and he was sorry for what he did right before he died) I think the audience was under the impression he was on ...
The next day he wrote me a letter saying he was sorry for what he did. It read, "If your dad finds out, it will KILL HIM." Strong words for a 10-year-old ...
In short, I couldn't let go because I didn't really feel that he was sorry for what he did. He also took me for granted. Many times I would talk to him and ...

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.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 22, 2024

Apr 18, 2014 ... He was sorry for what he had done, he was sad about it, felt guilty and had regrets, but there was no true repentance. Biblical repentance ...
... he was sorry for what he had done. “The bastards deserved it, discrimination is against the law.” He said again. “Yeah you mean like how you discriminate ...
Nov 19, 2008 ... ... he was sorry for what he had done, and whose guilt turned into bitterness against all females and lack of honor toward himself. Later in ...
Oct 31, 2014 ... He talked to me and told me he was sorry for what he had done to me (I should hope so). He also said he wanted to make sure that I knew the ...
Apr 2, 2023 ... he was sorry for what he had done". Explanation: This sentence shows that the person apologizing did something to the person he is ...
He wrote that he was sorry for what he had done, but couldn't bear to live with himself. When I heard this, my heart skipped a beat. I was hit with a twinge ...
Apr 1, 2022 ... ... he was sorry for what he had done. We prayed, and while I can't judge a heart, it seemed that his tears were like those Paul experienced on ...
Mar 1, 2018 ... ... he was sorry for what he had done—and to come back and visit again. Very unlike Charlie. Remember, I've seen “The Charlie Manson Show” play ...
Sep 8, 2023 ... Following his arrest, the defendant sent a letter to the victims' mother, indicating that he was sorry for what he had done. On September 8 ...
Feb 15, 2024 ... Breivik testified he was sorry for what he had done and broke down in tears as he said his life in prison isolation was a nightmare that ...

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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