I regret to inform vs I regret informing

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'I regret to inform' is used when someone is about to deliver bad news or information, expressing a sense of reluctance or sorrow in delivering the news. 'I regret informing' is used when someone feels remorse or guilt about having provided information that led to a negative outcome.

Last updated: April 10, 2024 • 1631 views

I regret to inform

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express reluctance or sorrow in delivering bad news or information.

This phrase is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce bad news or information that the speaker feels sorry or reluctant to share.

Examples:

I regret to inform you that your application has been denied.
I regret to inform you that the event has been canceled.
I regret to inform you that your request cannot be granted.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 02, 2024

Sep 14, 2023 ... Is there some grammar nuance that's flying over my head that I'm missing here? I've only heard I regret to inform you my entire life but never made sense to me.
Feb 17, 2020 ... "I regret to inform you that we have to cancel the following shows on the North American run: Worcester, Toronto and Montreal.
2 days ago ... I regret to inform, I have contracted a fatal dose of Brain Rot. Meme. r ...
Explore the art that could've been. “I regret to inform you…” is commonly used in rejection letters sent to artists after submitting to exhibitions, calls, ...
Aug 25, 2024 ... 13 likes, 1 comments - sutoscience on August 25, 2024: "I regret to inform you that quitting caffeine will likely solve (most) of your ...
Sep 22, 2024 ... 83 likes, 11 comments - allenhalas on September 22, 2024: "I regret to inform you that I am not, in fact, the newest member of GWAR, ...
I Regret to Inform You That My Wedding to Captain Von Trapp Has Been Canceled. by Melinda Taub. Dear friends, family, and Austrian nobility,. Captain Von Trapp ...

Alternatives:

I am sorry to inform
I must sadly inform
It is with regret that I inform
Unfortunately, I have to inform
I have the unfortunate task of informing

I regret informing

This phrase is correct and is used when someone feels remorse or guilt about having provided information that led to a negative outcome.

This phrase is used to express regret or remorse for having given information that resulted in an undesirable consequence.

Examples:

I regret informing the police about the situation.
She regretted informing her boss about the mistake.
He regretted informing his friend about the surprise party.

Show examples from the web [+]

If we say: I regret informing you - it means "informing " in the past. I regret to inform you - it means "inform" in the future.
I regret to inform you = I am sorry that I must inform you now. I regret informing you = I am sorry that I informed you before.
Oct 16, 2020 ... Thus, I regret informing you that I can no longer serve on the Pacific. County Planning Commission and thus tender my resignation ...
I regret informing you that you don't have the job. Correct. Wrong. 7. He was the one who convinced me to audition for the play. Correct.
Jan 3, 2012 ... Seriously though—these are the number one snack food that I wish was available in North America, bar none, and I regret informing you of how ...
Dec 9, 2021 ... To this date, I regret informing the farm owner about that 'rebellious' bird. Instead, I should have caught it somehow and released it into ...
I regret informing future and past customers the we are no longer offering pressure washing and paver sealant services. The work requires at least 2 people ...
Jun 3, 2020 ... Another example might be “I regret informing you that I ate the cake” vs. “I regret to inform you that I ate the cake.

Alternatives:

I feel bad for informing
I wish I hadn't informed
I am sorry for informing
I shouldn't have informed
I should have kept quiet

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