12 Better Ways to Say “I Regret to Inform You”

“I regret to inform you” is a difficult thing to read in an email or letter, but it’s sometimes necessary. If something bad has happened, you’ll want to use a phrase like this to try and lighten the issue. This article will explore some better ways you can write it.

The preferred synonyms include “my deepest apologies,” “unfortunately,” and “this may disappoint you.” These synonyms are great ways to show that you are about to deliver bad news. They allow the recipient to brace themselves to receive the news before committing to it.

Better Ways to Say I Regret to Inform You

1. My Deepest Apologies

“My deepest apologies” is a great way to show that you’re sorry and regret informing someone about something. “Deepest” acts as an adjective to modify the phrase, “my apologies.” It shows that you are “deeply” sorry.

  • Dear Albert,
  • My deepest apologies. I did not realize this would go the way it did. Is there anything I can do?
  • Kind regards,
  • Susan
  • Dear Pete,
  • My deepest apologies. I’ll be sure to fix these issues before I present them to you again.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Abigail,
  • Hey Martin,
  • My deepest apologies for that. I was not sure whether you were the correct person to message about it.
  • All the best,
  • Mike

2. Unfortunately

“Unfortunately” is a simple adverbial alternative you can use. It shows that the situation is “unfortunate,” but you also know there is nothing more you can do to fix the issues.

  • Dear Sam,
  • Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a way to sort this out. We’ll have to come up with a different plan.
  • Kind regards,
  • Chris
  • Dear Sarah,
  • Unfortunately, you will not be able to join the team. There is nothing we can do to change that, either.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Christie
  • Hey Nicola,
  • Unfortunately, this is the last time we can contact you. There is nothing left for us to say.
  • All the best,
  • Tommy

3. This May Disappoint You

“This may disappoint you” shows that you’re aware of the issue you’re presenting. If you know that it’ll negatively affect someone, this works well. It sets them up for disappointment, which helps you to deliver the news.

  • Dear Julia,
  • This may disappoint you, but there isn’t much we can do on our end. It’s mainly down to you right now.
  • Kind regards,
  • Abdul
  • Dear Robert,
  • This may disappoint you, but I don’t know the correct approach to this situation. I’ll have to check in with my boss.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Peter
  • Hey George,
  • This may disappoint you, but you have got to improve your scores, or you might be removed from the team.
  • All the best,
  • Steven

4. My Sincerest Apologies

“My sincerest apologies” means that you regret telling someone about something in the most “sincere” way. It’s another solid formal choice that uses a modification of “my apologies.”

  • Dear Travis,
  • My sincerest apologies, but I do not have the answer to your question. I know this is not easy to hear right now.
  • Kind regards,
  • Amy
  • Dear Patrick
  • My sincerest apologies, but I’m not the person to ask about this. Perhaps I can refer you to someone who can help.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Mr. Weiss
  • Hey Paolo,
  • My sincerest apologies, but this isn’t up to me. I’m afraid we’ll have to stick with the original decision here.
  • All the best,
  • Rachel

5. My Humblest Apologies

The last way to modify “my apologies” is by saying, “my humblest apologies.” You can use this phrase to show that some negative information or bad news has humbled you. It shows that you care about the recipient and how they might receive it.

  • Dear Monica,
  • My humblest apologies, but can you stop this from happening again? I do not want to be on the receiving end of this.
  • Kind regards,
  • Chandler
  • Dear Richard,
  • My humblest apologies, but it was beyond any of our control. We could not find a way to stop it from happening.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Dean
  • Hey Mr. Parker,
  • My humblest apologies, but I have to leave early on the day of the meeting. I will not be able to attend.
  • All the best,
  • Jonathan

6. Please Forgive Me For Saying This

“Please forgive me for saying this” shows that you respect and care for the recipient. “Please forgive me” is the key here, as it shows that you are trying to beg for forgiveness before you even deliver the bad news to someone.

  • Dear Miss Walsh,
  • Please forgive me for saying this. Someone has reached out to complain about you. I think you should come and see me.
  • Kind regards,
  • Evie
  • Dear Hughie,
  • Please forgive me for saying this, but is there any way we can speed up the process that we currently have? It’s inefficient.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Dave
  • Hey Tim,
  • Please forgive me for saying this. I do not have any positive ideas to help here.
  • All the best,
  • Charlotte

7. I Regret To Be The One To Say This

“I regret to be the one to say this” works well as an alternative. You can use this to show that the message comes with regret because you know it’ll be hard to take. It shows that you’re remorseful and caring before continuing with the email or letter.

  • Dear Walter,
  • I regret to be the one to say this, but Sam has informed us that you will have to leave us at the end of the month.
  • Kind regards,
  • Jack
  • Dear Frank,
  • I regret to be the one to say this, but I do not have the clearance for this task. You’ll have to find help elsewhere.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Allan
  • Hey Ross,
  • I regret to be the one to say this, but I cannot help you. I’ve tried everything in my power, but it’s not enough.
  • All the best,
  • Phoebe

8. I’m Sorry To Tell You

“I’m sorry to tell you” is a fairly simple alternative. “I’m sorry to tell you” means that you regret informing someone about some information. It shows that you care about them, and you don’t want them to take it poorly.

  • Dear Jim,
  • I’m sorry to tell you, but Mr. Smith would like all of this completed by the end of the day. You can’t leave.
  • Kind regards,
  • Pauline
  • Dear Miss Pink,
  • I’m sorry to tell you, but your hours have had to change due to the event that’s coming up on the weekend.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Roger
  • Hey Blau,
  • I’m sorry to tell you, but we do not have a way to accommodate you right now.
  • All the best,
  • Mohammed

9. I Am Sorry To Inform You

“I am sorry to inform you” is an alternative that uses the “I’m sorry” idea from the previous section. It is slightly more formal because it uses “inform” in the sentence rather than “tell.”

  • Dear Sandra,
  • I am sorry to inform you, but nothing more can be done. We’ve tried everything we can.
  • Kind regards,
  • Matt
  • Dear Marc,
  • I am sorry to inform you, but they do not want to take you on as a new manager. You did not make the cut.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Tracey
  • Hey Hannah,
  • I am sorry to inform you about this. I wish there was something more positive I could say that might help.
  • All the best,
  • Shantelle

10. I’m Afraid I Do Not Have Good News

“I’m afraid I do not have good news” is a formal way to tell someone that you’re sharing negative news with them. “I do not have good news” is a good sentence to use to let them brace for the bad news before they have to read it.

  • Dear Ms. Power,
  • I’m afraid I do not have good news for you. I think it’s best if you come to the office tomorrow to discuss this privately.
  • Kind regards,
  • Mr. Walker
  • Dear Mary,
  • I’m afraid I do not have good news. You will have to remove your items from your desk before the end of the day.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Professor Fudge
  • Hey Filipe,
  • I’m afraid I do not have good news. Is there anything you would like me to do to help you out?
  • All the best,
  • Beau

11. Regrettably

“Regrettably” is a suitable alternative in formal emails. It shows that you regret informing something about something. It’s an adverbial form that works well if you’re trying to save words.

  • Dear Miss Magnet,
  • Regrettably, we cannot make any changes without strict permission from someone in charge of the company.
  • Kind regards,
  • Sean
  • Dear Hubert,
  • Regrettably, I do not have the clearance to complete this task. You will have to ask my manager, Darren, about it.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Elizabeth
  • Hey Sara,
  • Regrettably, you are not the only person to ask about this. We are still working on a solution.
  • All the best,
  • Lauren

12. I’m Sorry

“I’m sorry” is the simplest alternative you can use. It works well because it shows that you are sorry and apologizing for delivering bad news. It also shows that you regret being the one to inform somebody about something.

  • Dear Katie,
  • I’m sorry, but I do not understand what you are referring to. Is there anything else you can tell me?
  • Kind regards,
  • Paul
  • Dear Abbie,
  • I’m sorry, but I cannot give you a definitive answer. There are too many moving parts here to make this work.
  • Yours sincerely,
  • Milo
  • Hey Stuart,
  • I’m sorry, but that’s the best offer I can give you. It’s going to have to do.
  • All the best,
  • Gus