❖ Unit 10 ❖ Brain Drain ❖ Functions ❖

Expressing Regret

How to express that you wish something had been different. Closely related to conditionals Type 3 and wish + past perfect.

Expressions of regret

Each expression of regret says the OPPOSITE of what actually happened:

Reality vs Regret

Reality: I didn't study. (negative)

Regret: I wish I had studied. (positive in the regret)

Reality: I went out yesterday. (positive)

Regret: I wish I hadn't gone out yesterday. (negative in the regret)

Complete with the right regret expression

We didn't meet them last night. → I wish we had met them last night. / It's a pity we didn't meet them last night.
I wasn't paying attention to the lesson. → I wish I had been paying attention to the lesson. / I should have paid attention to the lesson.
Why didn't I visit them? Now it's too late. → If only I had visited them! / I regret not visiting them.
She sold her old car. She used to like it a lot. → She wishes she hadn't sold her old car. / She regrets selling her old car.

Use a different expression of regret with the same meaning

If only I had had time to check on my sick friend. → I wish I had had time to check on my sick friend. / I regret not having time to check on my sick friend.
I regret living in this neighbourhood. → I wish I didn't live in this neighbourhood. / It's a pity I live in this neighbourhood.
What a pity I had left the party before you came. → I wish I hadn't left the party before you came. / If only I hadn't left the party before you came.

① "Should have + V3"

= a missed obligation in the past. "I should have revised more" = I didn't, and I regret it.

② Always reverse the polarity

If reality is negative, regret is positive. If reality is positive, regret is negative.

③ "I regret" has two structures

I regret doing X (regret about the past). · I regret to inform you (formal, present moment).

❖ Exam tip

This function works in tandem with grammar Unit 9 (conditionals + wish). Master both at once: they share the same mechanics.