Unit 6: Grammar (2) Past regrets

Regrets

A feeling of sorrow, unhappiness, or guilt for a fault, wrong act, a loss, etc.:

I have no regrets.

Noun

v. 

To feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, event, etc.):

He said he did not regret his decision to retire.

The thief said he regretted stealing the money.

He regrets that he cannot be here in person tonight.

Verb

Regret (Wordreference)

Regret + (not) -ing

We can actually use the verb regret(v) followed by a gerund to express regrets(n):

• I regret moving back to Spain

• I regret not having kids

Open Ended

What do you think people regret the most about their lives? Example: (They regret) not getting married.

Multiple Choice

What do most of these regrets have in common?

• They regret doing something

• They regret not doing something

• They regret something they will do

• They regret not studying for the exam

Past regrets

​Students book, page 80

Should have + past participle

• To express mild regret or criticism regarding something in the past.

• We should have left earlier. There's a lot of traffic on the roads now.

• You should have spoken to her before you borrowed her phone.

Multiple Choice

Past regret (mild): Yesterday, I forgot it was Valentine's day...

• I should have bought flowers

• I should buy flowers

• I should bought flowers

• I can buy myself flowers

Wish + past perfect

• To express a stronger regret about a past situation.

• I wish you hadn't eaten the last piece of cake. I was looking forward to it.

Multiple Choice

Past regret (stong): I cheated on my bf/gf and I hurt his/her feelings...

• I wish I hadn't cheated on my bf/gf

• I wish I had cheated on my bf/gf

• I wish I didn't cheat on my bf/gf

• He/she deserved it

If only + past perfect

• To express an even stronger regret about a past situation.

• If only you'd tried it on before you bought it. It's too late to change it now.

Multiple Choice

Past regret (even stronger): I didn't tell my crush that I loved him/her. Now he/she's gotten a gf/bf. __________, we'd be together now.

• If only I had told him/her my true feelings...

• If only I told him/her my true feelings...

• If only I have told him/her my true feelings...

• I can hold my own hand

Reorder

Order these regrets from mildest to strongest:

• I shouldn't have cheated on my boyfriend
• I wish I hadn't cheated on my boyfriend
• If only I hadn't cheated on my boyfriend...

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Would rather / (sooner)

• To show mild regret or criticism relating to a past situation.

• I'd rather/(sooner) you hadn't told me the answer. I wanted to work it out myself.

• I'd rather/(sooner) not have overslept. It meant I was late for school

Open Ended

What are your three biggest regrets in your life? Use at least 3 of the structures we have learned today.

(Grammar reference - SB page 80)

Student's book Page 76

Complete activities 4 and 5 about past regrets.