Expressing Regrets in English: Tips, Expressions, and Practice - B2

 

Expressing Regrets in English: Tips, Expressions, and Practice

We all have moments when we look back and think about what we should have done differently. In English, we can express regrets using specific structures and expressions. Let’s explore how to do this!

 

1. Common Structures to Express Regrets

When expressing regret, we often use:

• I wish + past perfect
• If only + past perfect

These structures talk about regrets regarding past situations.

Examples:

• I wish I had studied more for the exam. (I didn’t study, and now I regret it.)
• If only I had called her earlier. (I regret not calling her.)

 Tip: Use these expressions to talk about something you can’t change now because it already happened.

 

2. Useful Expressions for Regret

Here are some expressions you can use to sound more natural:

Expression	Meaning
I wish I had known…	I regret not knowing something earlier.
If only I had done it…	I feel sorry for not doing it.
I shouldn’t have said that	I regret saying something.
I could have helped…	I regret not helping.
I regret not going…	I feel sorry for not going.

 

 3. How to Avoid Common Mistakes

• ❌ Don’t use present tense after "I wish" for past regrets.
  Example: I wish I study harder → Wrong!
  ✅ Correct: I wish I had studied harder.
• ❌ Don’t confuse wish with hope.
  I wish is for regrets; I hope is for future possibilities.
  Example: I wish I had passed the exam (regret) vs. I hope I pass the exam (future expectation).

 

4. Practice Makes Perfect

Try using these expressions in your own sentences!
Exercise: Complete the sentences with your own regrets:

1. I wish I ___________ last weekend.
2. If only I ___________ more time to prepare for the test.
3. I regret ___________ that opportunity.

 

5. Fun Activity: Share Your Regrets!

Write a short story about something you wish had gone differently. Be creative! You can share it in the comments below.

 

1. Phrasal Verbs about Regret

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Mess up	Make a mistake or do something wrong	I really messed up the presentation yesterday.
Turn back	Go back to a previous situation	If I could turn back time, I’d change my decision.
Give up on	Lose hope or stop trying	I shouldn’t have given up on my dreams so easily.
Miss out on	Lose an opportunity	I regret missing out on the chance to study abroad.
Let down	Disappoint someone	I feel bad because I let my team down.

 

2. Idioms About Regret

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Cry over spilled milk	Regret something that cannot be changed	There’s no use crying over spilled milk; it’s already done.
Kick oneself	Feel annoyed or regretful about a mistake	I’m kicking myself for forgetting her birthday.
Hindsight is 20/20	It’s easy to see mistakes after they happen	Looking back, I should have prepared more—hindsight is 20/20.
Burn one’s bridges	Make a decision that you cannot reverse	I regret quitting that job so suddenly; I really burned my bridges.
A missed boat/opportunity	A lost chance that won’t come again	Not applying for that scholarship was a missed boat.

 

 Vocabulary Chart: Phrasal Verbs & Idioms About Regret

Expression	Type	Meaning	Example Sentence
Mess up	Phrasal Verb	Make a mistake or do something wrong	I really messed up the interview.
Turn back	Phrasal Verb	Return to a previous situation	If I could turn back time, I’d change everything.
Miss out on	Phrasal Verb	Lose an opportunity	I regret missing out on the party.
Let down	Phrasal Verb	Disappoint someone	I let my friends down by not helping them.
Cry over spilled milk	Idiom	Regret something that cannot be changed	There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
Kick oneself	Idiom	Feel regret or annoyance about a mistake	I’m kicking myself for not taking that job.
Hindsight is 20/20	Idiom	It’s easy to see mistakes after they happen	Hindsight is 20/20—now I know what I should have done.
Burn one’s bridges	Idiom	Make a decision that cannot be reversed	I burned my bridges when I left the company angrily.
A missed boat/opportunity	Idiom	A lost chance	Not applying to college was a missed boat.

 

How to Use the Chart:

• Step 1: Learn the meaning of each phrasal verb or idiom.
• Step 2: Write your own sentence using at least one expression.
• Step 3: Share your sentence in the comments section below!

 

Interactive Exercise: Phrasal Verbs & Idioms about Regret

Part 1: Match the Expressions with Their Meanings

Match the phrasal verbs and idioms in Column A with their correct meaning from Column B.

Column A	Column B
1. Mess up	A. Feel regret about a lost chance
2. Turn back	B. Disappoint someone
3. Miss out on	C. Make a mistake
4. Let down	D. Go back to a previous situation
5. A missed boat/opportunity	E. Lose an opportunity

 

Part 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb or idiom.

1. I totally ___________ when I forgot to submit my assignment.
2. It’s too late to ___________ now; we must move forward.
3. I’ll never forgive myself for ___________ the chance to travel abroad.
4. You shouldn’t ___________ over spilled milk—it’s in the past.
5. I really ___________ my team by not finishing the project on time.