Regret Doing vs. Regret To Do
“Regret + -ing” normally expresses sorrow about an action or situation. Formal “regret + to-infinitive” is commonly used to introduce bad or unwelcome news.
Use “regret doing” for feeling sorry about an action. Formal “regret to do” introduces something unwelcome you are about to say, inform, or announce.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| feel sorry about an earlier action or situation | regret + -ing | Use -ing when looking back on something already done or experienced. |
| formally introduce unwelcome information you are about to state | regret + to-infinitive | Use the to-infinitive in formal announcements such as “regret to inform.” |
| assume the two complements are interchangeable | match the time/meaning | Both constructions are standard but express different meanings. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you looking back and feeling sorry about an action or event?
If yes: Use “regret doing.”
If no: If you are formally introducing unwelcome information you are about to state, use “regret to do,” especially fixed uses such as “regret to inform.”
Caveat: Both complements are standard in their documented senses; the choice changes meaning rather than simply changing style.
Examples
I regret leaving so early.
The -ing form looks back on an earlier action.
We regret to inform you that the event has been cancelled.
The to-infinitive formally introduces unwelcome information.
She regretted saying that during the meeting.
The -ing complement names the past action she felt sorry about.
Further guidance
Infinitive Pattern
Formal regret + to-infinitive is used especially when politely introducing unwelcome information, as in “regret to inform” or “regret to announce.”
Ing Pattern
Use regret + -ing to say you feel sorry about an action or situation, commonly one that has already happened.
Register Boundary
The to-infinitive pattern is notably formal in the Cambridge evidence; it should not be treated as a simple tense substitute for regret + -ing.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Regret — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Regret + -ing for feeling sorry about an action and formal regret + to-infinitive for giving unwelcome information