DESCRIPTION
Basic competence: Responding
to the meaning in transactional conversation (to get things done) and
interpersonal (social) and continued (sustained) accurately, fluently and
acceptable that uses a variety of spoken language and involves speech:
expressing regret (formal and informal)
LESSON
Learning objective: In
this lesson you will learn how to express regret in English both formally and
informally in daily life context.
Expressing Regret
Have you ever made a
mistake? Or you’re failed in the exam because you did not study hard? Did you
feel guilty when you are in those situations? Everybody may have this kind of
feeling which is called as regret, an unhappy feeling about what has you done
or you decided in the past. It is more than saying sorry to a person you mean.
When expressing regret, people commonly put a good intention or attitude to do
better, mend ways or even do effort to not do the same mistake anymore. For
example, they will say:
o
I regret.
o
I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that.
Two phrases above are
very common and simple regret expression. Actually, there are so many phrases
you can use to express regret. However, you should pay attention to these
situations:
When you regret about something you have decided or
done to older people such as your parents or teachers, you can use the
following phrases for the formal context:
§ I regretfully …..
Example:
o
I regretfully I broke your glasses.
§ I am so regretful …..
Example:
o
I am so regretful broke
you glasses.
§
I
regret that …..
Example:
o I
regret that I have lied to you.
o I
regret that I sent the wrong parcel.
§
I
regret …. (use gerund)
Example :
o I
regret not listening to your words.
o I
regret making you worry.
You can also use these
phrases informally to your friends:
§ I wish …. (use the past participle)
Examples:
o I
wish I could get the higher score for Math.
o I
wish that would not happen anymore.
§
If
I had (hadn’t) …, I would (wouldn’t) have … (use conditional sentences Type 3)
Examples:
o
If I had not gone last night, my dad would not have
scolded me.
o
I would not have been lost, if I had brought the map.
§ I am sorry I should/ought to have ….
Examples:
o
I am sorry I should have studied hard.
o
I am sorry I ought to have told you before.
Example in conversations:
Conversation 1
(Situation:
Wulan regrets that she left lost her friend’s notebook)
Sofie :
“Wulan, can I take my notebook?”
Wulan :
“I’m sorry. I left your book accidently in the library yesterday.”
Sofie :
“How come? What should I do now? Tomorrow we will face exam, won’t we?”
Wulan :
“Yes. I regret leaving your book. I’m trying to copy the note. You can use mine
to learn. I am really sorry.”
Sofie :
“Is it okay?”
Wulan :
“Yes, I’m okay with that. This is my mistake.”
Sofie :
“Alright. Thank you.”
Conversation 2
(Situation:
Ivan forgot his mother’s errand)
Mother :
“Van, Have you taken the cake from Mrs. Liza?”
Ivan : “I’m terribly sorry, mom. I
forgot”
Mother :
“Where have you been?”
Ivan : “I went playing football
with friends.”
Mother :
“You know, Mrs. Liza must be waiting for us to take that cake.”
Ivan : “I regretfully I forgot it.
Mother :
“I have to call her now. You stay here.”
To sum up this lesson:
§ Remember that expressing regret means doing more than
apologize.
§ “I regret” phrase can be used both formally and
informally.
§ Use conditional sentence type 3 to make sure that you
really regret the mistake.
§ Use “I regretfully” or “I am so regretful” to older
people to show the politeness.
Written by Windi Asariastika
