The expression “I regret to inform you” is a polite and formal way to present bad news. It can be used properly in many different contexts: professional letters, college admission emails, doctor correspondence, and more.
However, different situations can call for different variations of this phrase to be used. In this post, we’ll give you 13 synonyms for the saying “I regret to inform you” that you can use in different contexts. We’ll also breakdown how to properly use this expression in a sentence.
What Does “I Regret To Inform You” Mean?
The phrase “I regret to inform you” is a formal expression used to convey unfortunate or distressing news to someone. It is commonly used in any of the following situations.
- Sending a rejection notice.
- Communicating bad news.
- Presenting an unfortunate outcome.
The phrase begins with “I regret,” indicating a sense of sorrow or disappointment on the part of the speaker. “To inform you” signifies the purpose of the communication – to convey information, although in this case, it’s regrettable information. In other words, this saying is used to politely express regret.
27 Synonyms For “I Regret To Inform You”
Here are 13 synonyms for the expression “I regret to inform you”.
- I am sorry to inform you. This phrase combines regret with an apology, expressing sympathy for the recipient.
- Unfortunately, I must inform you. It straightforwardly conveys the unfortunate news without elaborate phrasing.
- It is with regret that I inform you. This phrase emphasizes the speaker’s regret as the primary sentiment.
- I must express my regrets in informing you. It highlights the speaker’s personal regret and responsibility in delivering the news.
- I wish it were different, but I have to inform you. This phrase conveys a sense of disappointment and inevitability.
- I am saddened to tell you. It expresses the speaker’s sadness while delivering the news.
- I’m afraid I have to let you know. This phrase adds a touch of empathy, expressing regret while delivering necessary information.
- It pains me to say this, but. It conveys emotional distress on the part of the speaker while introducing the difficult message.
- I have the unfortunate duty of informing you. It emphasizes the speaker’s obligation to deliver the news despite its unwelcome nature.
- Regrettably, I need to inform you. This adverb softens the impact of the news, indicating the speaker’s regret.
- I’m disheartened to inform you that. It conveys the speaker’s disappointment and sorrow regarding the news.
- I find it unfortunate to tell you that. This phrase expresses the speaker’s personal perspective on the unfortunate situation.
- I bear the unfortunate news that. It conveys a sense of carrying a burden while delivering the regrettable information.
- “I regret having to convey this.” This phrase emphasizes the act of communication as a regrettable necessity, showing that the speaker is not taking the delivery of the news lightly.
- “I’m sorry to have to break this news to you.” Here, the speaker expresses sorrow not just for the news itself but also for the act of breaking it to the recipient, highlighting the emotional weight of the message.
- “It grieves me to share this with you.” This expression showcases a deep level of personal sorrow or grief in having to share unwelcome news, emphasizing the emotional toll on the speaker.
- “I find myself in the difficult position of having to tell you.” This conveys the speaker’s discomfort and the challenging nature of their duty to deliver the news, highlighting the reluctant obligation.
- “It’s my unhappy task to inform you.” Similar to the previous, this phrase also emphasizes the speaker’s duty, but with an added emphasis on the unhappiness it brings them.
- “With a heavy heart, I must tell you.” This phrase poetically expresses the speaker’s emotional state as being burdened or heavy due to the news they must deliver, emphasizing the emotional difficulty.
- “I’m compelled to deliver this news to you.” Here, the focus is on the speaker’s lack of choice in the matter, highlighting the necessity of conveying the information despite personal feelings.
- “It is unfortunate that I have to bring this to your attention.” This expression notes the misfortune in having to draw the recipient’s attention to the unwelcome news, emphasizing the speaker’s perception of the situation as unfortunate.
- “I have no choice but to disclose this to you.” It stresses the lack of alternatives available to the speaker, highlighting the reluctant and forced nature of the communication.
- “I’m tasked with the unpleasant duty of informing you.” This variant emphasizes the speaker’s role or duty as an unpleasant one, underlining the unwelcome nature of the news.
- “It’s with a sense of responsibility that I have to inform you.” By highlighting the sense of responsibility, the speaker communicates the gravity with which they approach the task of delivering the news.
- “I have to be the bearer of bad news.” A classic phrase that directly acknowledges the speaker’s role in delivering negative news, emphasizing the traditional metaphor of carrying or bearing news.
- “I wish there were a gentler way to say this.” This phrase expresses the speaker’s desire for a softer or less direct means of communication, highlighting their concern for the recipient’s feelings.
- “I’m obligated to relay this information to you.” Emphasizing the speaker’s obligation, this phrase highlights the formal or official necessity behind the communication, underscoring a sense of duty over personal choice.
Just like we saw in our breakdown of the phrase “much appreciated“, proper use of synonyms can significantly enhance your overall writing quality.
How Do You Use “I Regret To Inform You” In A Sentence?
Below are 5 sentence examples that demonstrate how to properly use the expression “I regret to inform you” in a sentence.
- Dear Applicant, I regret to inform you that after careful consideration, we have chosen to pursue other candidates for the position you applied for.
- I regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, the event scheduled for tomorrow has been canceled.
- I regret to inform you that your request for an extension has been denied, as we cannot accommodate any further delays.
- Dear Customer, I regret to inform you that the item you ordered is currently out of stock, and we are unable to fulfill your request at this time.
- I regret to inform you that your application for the loan has been declined based on the evaluation of your credit history.
What Contexts Is “I Regret To Inform You” Used?
The saying “I regret to inform you” can be used in many different formal contexts. Here are some of the most popular contexts in which “I regret to inform you” is used.
- Professional Correspondence. It is often used in formal letters, emails, or official communications to reject job applications.
- Colleges. Teachers, administrators, or admissions officers might use this phrase to inform students or parents about decisions regarding applications.
- Legal Communication. Lawyers use this phrase in formal letters to communicate legal decisions.
- Customer Service. Customer service representatives might use this phrase to inform customers about issues.
- Healthcare. Healthcare professionals may use this phrase to communicate sensitive or unfortunate medical diagnoses.
Popularity Analysis
Google’s own Ngram data shows that the phrase “I regret to inform you” started being used in formal writing back in the 1940s. However, it gained significant popularity back in 2001 thanks to the rise in professional emails to deliver bad news.
But just like we saw in our analysis of the phrase “thanks for cooperating“, writers need to understand how to use formal sayings properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, “I regret to inform you” is considered formal and is commonly used in professional and official communication to convey disappointing or unfortunate news politely.
Yes, “I regret to inform you” is typically used to convey bad news or disappointing information, indicating regret or sorrow on the part of the speaker.
The Bottom Line
By now, you should be an expert on the saying “I regret to inform you” & how it should be used. There are many different ways to express your deepest apologies & bad information to someone. Use this list of synonyms to add variety to your writing and use the correct vocabulary for your specific situation. And if you need help with similar grammar rules like this, use our Grammar reviewing tool to make things easy for you!