Master confusing words with ease
Regretfully vs. Regrettably
Regretfully
/rɪˈɡretfəli/Examples:
Regretfully, I won't be attending the meeting tomorrow.She regretfully declined his kind offer to help.Regretfully admitting his mistake, he apologized sincerely.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Regrettably
/rɪˈɡretəbli/Examples:
Regrettably, I won't be able to attend the meeting.She regrettably informed her boss about the mistake.Regrettably, the funds were not sufficient for the project.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Regretfully usually refers to a feeling or expression of regret, so you can remember it as involving an emotion directly felt by a person or persons involved.
- Regrettably is used to describe a situation or fact that is unfortunate, so it often introduces something external or an impersonal situation that causes regret.
- Regretfully is more about personal feelings, while regrettably relates more to circumstances.
- Consider regretfully as saying I regret something, while regrettably is more like saying it is regrettable that...
- Remember that regretfully is about personal regret and feeling, while regrettably applies to circumstances beyond personal control.
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