So, you want to say “I regret to inform you,” but you want a more appropriate phrase. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will explore some alternatives for “I regret to inform you.” We’ll help you understand the best options and how they work.
Other Ways to Say “I Regret to Inform You”
- I’m afraid to say
- I hate to be the one to tell you
- Unfortunately
- Regrettably
- It’s with regret
- I’m so sorry, but
- I hate to be the bearer of bad news
- Don’t shoot the messenger
- It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you
- Please don’t hate me for saying
- I’m afraid I have to tell you
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “I regret to inform you” is a common phrase in formal emails and letters showing that you have bad news.
- “I’m afraid to say” is a great formal synonym to replace “I regret to inform you.”
- You could say “I hate to be the one to tell you” as a more informal phrase.
Keep reading to learn more about the best alternatives. We’ve explained the most useful ones to help you understand how they appear in different contexts.
Also, you may want to learn more about “I regret to inform you” as a phrase. So, skip to the final section to learn whether it’s appropriate and correct.
I’m Afraid to Say (Formal)
“I’m afraid to say” is an excellent professional synonym for “I regret to inform you.” You should use it when you regret the information you have to give to someone.
It is a very polite and respectful phrase. There’s nothing wrong with including it in a professional email.
For example, you may want to use it when you cannot attend a meeting. You can email your boss to let them know that you won’t make it. They will be more forgiving if you word it politely with “I’m afraid to say.”
Alternatively, you could start an email with “we’re afraid to say” when an applicant is unsuccessful in applying to your company. It shows you do not have good news to share.
“I’m afraid to say” is a great formal synonym. You can use it instead of “I regret to inform you” to mix things up. Both phrases are effective, so feel free to switch between them.
Here are a few examples to help you:
Dear Maria,
I’m afraid to say that I cannot make it to the meeting at that time. Is there another time that works for you?
Yours,
Daniel
Dear Harrison,
We’re afraid to say that you were unsuccessful with your application. We encourage you to try again another time, though.
All the best,
Sarah Woodford
I Hate to Be the One to Tell You (Informal)
“I hate to be the one to tell you” is a great conversational alternative. You should use it when you don’t want to give bad news to a friend. However, “I hate to be the one” suggests you are the only person able to give them some bad news.
You might want to use this phrase when speaking to a colleague. It shows that you have heard some bad news relating to them. They might not appreciate the news, but at least they can receive it from a friendly source.
You should not use “I hate to be the one to tell you” in formal contexts. Stick with “I regret to inform you” when you want to sound professional. “I hate to be the one to tell you” is only appropriate informally.
Here are some examples that will help:
Hey Terry,
I hate to be the one to tell you, but the boss wants to speak to you about your conduct. Sorry!
My best,
Jessie
I hate to be the one to tell you, but there is something wrong with this whole situation. Don’t you agree?
Is It Correct to Say “I Regret to Inform You”?
“I regret to inform you” is correct. It is acceptable in formal contexts when you have bad news to share with someone.
You will mainly use it professionally because it shows respect for the recipient. Even though you are providing bad news, it’s worth being polite to show that you truly regret having to deliver it.
You can also use the following variations:
- I regret to inform you that I am resigning
- I regret to inform you that I will not be able to attend the interview
This generally allows you to inform an organization about bad news. “I” is a personal pronoun, showing that you are in control.
However, you might also use the following variations if you represent an organization:
- We regret to inform you that your application has not been successful
- We regret to inform you that the position has been filled
- Unfortunately, we regret to inform you that you didn’t get the job
“We” is a general pronoun. You can use it to represent a company and give bad news to someone else. For instance, you might say “we regret to inform you” when someone was unsuccessful in their application for your company.
You can always return to this page to give yourself more synonyms. So, bookmark it and save it for a later time. Who knows when it might be relevant again?