Regretfully, the changeover from my old web host to HostGator did not go well. And, regrettably, I’m stuck with them for the next three years.
Yeah, I know, you’re wondering “so what?” “What’s the big deal if I use regretfully or regrettably?”
Well, both words have the same root word: regret, which is basically about disappointment.
Regretfully is both a manner adverb and can be used as a sentence adverb to express how full of sadness you are.
| Manner Adverb | Sentence Adverb |
|---|---|
| He sighed regretfully. | Regretfully, the trustees must turn down your request. |
| Noah signed the eviction papers regretfully. |
Regrettably is, regrettably, all sentence adverb and indicates it is not your fault.
| Sentence Adverb |
|---|
| Regrettably, there was nothing that could be done. |
Exploring Later . . .
You may want to explore “ Regretful versus Regrettable“.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Regretfully | Regrettably |
|---|---|
 |
 — |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Adverb | Adverb |
| full of regret
In a manner that expresses sadness, repentance, disappointment over something that has happened or been done
|
unfortunately, but not your fault
[Sentence adverb] Unfortunately (used to express apology for or sadness at something) |
| Examples: | |
| He sighed regretfully.
Regretfully, mounting costs and diminishing traffic forced the line to close. I had to regretfully decline the invitation. Regretfully, I won’t be able to help. Having said all that, I must also say, regretfully, that the last few In Death stories haven’t thrilled me. |
Regrettably, last night’s audience was a meager one.
There would have to be a regrettably steep decline in wages. Regrettably, they could not attend. The progress of the work was regrettably slow. |
| Derivatives: | |
| Adjective: regretful, unregretful Adverb: unregretfully Noun: regretfulness |
Adjective: regrettable |
| History of the Word: | |
| Late Middle English from the Old French regreter meaning bewail (the dead), perhaps from the Old English, partly from grētan meaning cry out, rage, partly from grēotan meaning lament, both of Germanic origin. | |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Regretfully versus Regrettably
Apple Dictionary.com
Merriam-Webster: regretfully, regrettably
“regrettably/regretfully.” Commonly Confused Words. Vocabulary. com. n.d. We. 7 Oct 2021. <https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/chooseyourwords/regrettably-regretfully/>.
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Revised as of 17 Apr 2024
By: Kathy Davie