Hello. I'm checking a book on the grammatical usage of "regret". There is the following sentence:
I regret (the fact) that she has left
The book says normally we can omit "that" after regret. But, in my opinion, "I regret she has left" sounds funny. So am I wrong or is the book wrong? Or is simply the example that doesn't work? Thank you
Regret (Grammar)
Posted by micaelo · February 13, 2008 · 3 replies
3 Replies
It sounds OK to me.
There's an old song called "Miss Otis Regrets" whose chorus goes "Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today." (It turns out she has just shot her lover.)
Maybe part of the reason that "I regret she has left" sounds funny is the meaning - usually you regret something you have done yourself. You can say "It is regrettable that she has left" but although I can be sorry that she has left, I wouldn't regret it, I think.
You might enjoy the excellent January 1, 2008 New York Times article on New Year Regrets. If I was teaching this topic and grammar, I would certainly have students read the ironic, yet insightful article. I don't recall its exact title, but I laughed and sighed when reading it. I only regret that I failed to keep a copy!