What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rue
Example
He will rue the day he decided to quit his job. [rue: verb]
Example
I have a feeling I will rue this decision later. [rue: verb]
regret
Example
I regret not studying harder in school. [regret: verb]
Example
She expressed her regret over the way she had treated her friend. [regret: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Regret is more commonly used than rue in everyday language. Regret is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rue is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rue and regret?
Rue is generally considered more formal than regret. It is often used in literature or formal writing, while regret can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
