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All English activities

Activities: “How to express regret in English?”

By: Anna Classing

Activity 1: Fill-in-the-blank

Fill in the gap with one of the words from the box:
Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
  1. We have carpeted the floor in our daughter’s bedroom, and it is already covered with stains. We have chosen the wooden floor instead.
  2. Mark and Stacy reserved a gazebo on a lake for their wedding, and it rained all day. I am sure they that they had reserved a church instead.
  3. We have bought our equipment before coming to the mountains. It is so expensive here!
  4. It’s impossible to find a job in my field. I really choosing that major.
  5. I deeply my decision to invest all my savings into my brother’s startup.
  6. I had checked the reviews of that hotel before booking it.

Activity 2: Rephrase the sentence

Paraphrase regrets using the words in brackets. Change the grammar of the sentence if necessary.

ex. I regret not visiting Venice when I had a chance.

_______ (should) → I should have visited Venice when I had a chance

  1. If only I hadn’t stayed in the office late that day!

    (regret)

  2. If I had found a job a bit earlier, I wouldn’t have gotten into debt.

    (wish)

  3. I really shouldn’t have trusted Stephen with this project.

    (if only)

  4. I’m sorry to hear about your accident. I bet your mom now wishes she hadn’t bought a car for you.

    (regret)

  5. We regret calling our dog “Granny,” it’s really weird to call for her in the park.

    (should)

  6. If I hadn’t forgotten to set the alarm, I would have made it to the airport in time.

    (wish)

Activity 3: Jenny’s bad day

Read a story about Jenny’s day yesterday and continue the four sentences describing what Jenny probably regrets now.

What would Jenny say to someone to express her regrets?

  • I wish I hadn’t

  • I should have

  • If only I hadn’t

  • I really regret