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Hello and welcome to Mistake Break, the podcast that helps talk without regrets!
Today, let's talk about things you wish you hadn’t done in the past
"I now regret not to have worked harder at school."
The feeling is very clear, but the grammar needs a small adjustment. The mistake is the verb form that follows "regret." When we talk about feeling sorry about a past action, we need to say: regret doing it – and not regret to do it
So, the correct way to say it is: "I now regret not having worked harder at school."
Or, you could say it more simply: "I now regret not working harder at school."
For example: "I regret saying that."
Another example: "She regrets eating that last piece of cake."
Another way to say it is regret + that + a clause.
For example: "Now that it was too late, I regretted that he hadn't worked harder at school."
Or: "We regret that we didn't listen to your advice."
Host: So, let's quickly recap the rule for talking about past regrets. You have two main choices:
Number 1: Use regret + the -ing form. Like, "I regret spending so much money."
Number 2: Use regret + that. Like, "I regret that I spent so much money." There are different ways to look at and before you even regret it, check the blog for that.
And that’s our time! No regrets about tuning in, I hope. Join us next time for another Mistake Break!
And if you regret something you didn't do? Just add the word "not" before the -ing verb.
For instance: "I wonder if they ever regret not having gone to live abroad."
Exercise Explanations and Feedback Guidance
1. Spot the Difference
Read each sentence. If "regret" is used incorrectly, correct it using the appropriate form discussed in the podcast. If the sentence is already correct, write "Correct."
a. I now regret not to have bought those concert tickets.
b. She regrets eating too much cake last night.
c. We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful. (Note: This is a correct formal use of regret + infinitive, but outside the podcast's focus on past actions. The learner should identify if it fits the podcast's specific context of past actions or if it's correct in another sense).
d. He regrets that he didn't apologize sooner.
e. They regret to waste so much time on the project.
Hint: Remember that this episode specifically highlighted that for past actions you are sorry about, you use regret + -ing or regret + that + clause, not regret + to do."
2. Guided Practice: Sentence Surgeon
Rewrite each sentence, correcting the verb form after "regret" or choosing the best option based on the context of past actions. You may use either regret + -ing or regret + that + clause.
a. I deeply regret to have offended her.
b. My parents regret not to have traveled more when they were younger.
c. She expressed her regret to miss the opportunity.
d. We regret to announce the cancellation of the event. (Consider if this fits the past action rule from the podcast.)
e. He regrets not to have bought the house when prices were lower.
3. Podcast Script Lexical Gaps
Read the segment from the podcast below. Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word (e.g., preposition, article, or part of a collocation) based on the context.
"Hello and welcome ____ Mistake Break, the podcast that helps talk ____ regrets! Today, let's talk ____ things you wish you hadn’t done ____ the past. 'I now regret not to have worked harder ____ school.' The feeling is very clear, ____ the grammar needs a small adjustment. The mistake is the verb form that follows 'regret.' When we talk ____ feeling sorry ____ a past action, we need to say: regret doing it – and not regret to do it."
Answer Key:
1. Spot the Difference
a. I now regret not to have bought those concert tickets. (Correction: I now regret not buying those concert tickets. OR I now regret that I didn't buy those concert tickets.)
b. She regrets eating too much cake last night. (Correct)
c. We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful. (Correct - This is a formal announcement, not a regret about a past action in the sense of being sorry one did something. It's used to convey unwelcome news. Learners should recognize this distinction.)
d. He regrets that he didn't apologize sooner. (Correct)
e. They regret to waste so much time on the project. (Correction: They regret wasting so much time on the project. OR They regret that they wasted so much time on the project.)
2. Guided Practice: "Sentence Surgeon"
a. I deeply regret having offended her. OR I deeply regret that I offended her.
b. My parents regret not having traveled more when they were younger. OR My parents regret not traveling more when they were younger. OR My parents regret that they didn't travel more when they were younger.
c. She expressed her regret missing the opportunity. OR She expressed her regret that she missed the opportunity.
d. We regret to announce the cancellation of the event. (This sentence is grammatically correct as a formal announcement of unwelcome news, similar to example 1c in the podcast. It doesn't fit the "past action" regret discussed in detail, so it remains unchanged.)
e. He regrets not having bought the house when prices were lower. OR He regrets not buying the house when prices were lower. OR He regrets that he didn't buy the house when prices were lower.
3. Podcast Script Lexical Gaps
"Hello and welcome to Mistake Break, the podcast that helps talk without regrets! Today, let's talk about things you wish you hadn’t done in the past. 'I now regret not having worked harder at school.' The feeling is very clear, but the grammar needs a small adjustment. The mistake is the verb form that follows 'regret.' When we talk about feeling sorry about a past action, we need to say: regret doing it – and not regret to do it."
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