I regret + ing and + to infinitive

[CarlaSofia]

Terrible doubt!

I was taught that regret + ing is used to convey the idea of being sorry about sth done or not deon in the past. And regret + to infinitive is used in a formal register to communicate sth (I / we regret to tell you .....). Now, I happened to come across in a coursebook, the expression " I regret having to say something bad about ...." (in a letter, meaning she/he felt sorry to have to say....) So, is that an exception???? REGRET + ING to communicate sth?

HELP!!!!!
Thanks in advance!

[Humble]

Hi, CarlaSofia,
As far as I know, the only case of using the Infinitive is the set expression you've mentioned. have to does not fall in to the say/tell/inform category, that's why the usual Gerund -IMHO.
Regards

[CarlaSofia]

Hi, CarlaSofia,
As far as I know, the only case of using the Infinitive is the set expression you've mentioned. have to does not fall in to the say/tell/inform category, that's why the usual Gerund -IMHO.
Regards

Thanks Humble!
But still I don't know whether the use of regret + ing is restricted to events in the past, or there are exceptions to refer to a future/present action (i.e. "I regret having to say...")
Thanks anyway

[queenbu]

Hello Carla, According to Michael Swan...
Regret+-ing form refers back to the past-something that one is sorry one did.
I regret leaving school at 14-it was a big mistake.
Regret+infinitive is used mostly in announcements of bad news.
We regret to inform passengers that the 14.50 train for Cardiff will leave approximately 37 minutes late.
We regret to say that we are unable to help you.
That's exactly how you know it. The only way out I can find is that he says 'used mostly in...' Whilst waiting for an answer from the experts, I'd like to add a question of my own. Couldn't we say 'I regret having left school at 14' instead of 'I regret leaving school at 14'?

Edit

The verbs in the following table can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, and there will be virtually no difference in the meaning of the two sentences. I like to play basketball in the park. I like playing basketball in the park.

attempt
begin
continue
hate like
love
neglect
prefer regret
can't stand
stand
start
This is what I found on Gerunds and Infinitives: Their Noun Roles

[CarlaSofia]

Hello Carla, According to Michael Swan...
Regret+-ing form refers back to the past-something that one is sorry one did.
I regret leaving school at 14-it was a big mistake.
Regret+infinitive is used mostly in announcements of bad news.
We regret to inform passengers that the 14.50 train for Cardiff will leave approximately 37 minutes late.
We regret to say that we are unable to help you.
That's exactly how you know it. The only way out I can find is that he says 'used mostly in...' Whilst waiting for an answer from the experts, I'd like to add a question of my own. Couldn't we say 'I regret having left school at 14' instead of 'I regret leaving school at 14'?

Edit

The verbs in the following table can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, and there will be virtually no difference in the meaning of the two sentences. I like to play basketball in the park. I like playing basketball in the park.

attempt
begin
continue
hate like
love
neglect
prefer regret
can't stand
stand
start
This is what I found on Gerunds and Infinitives: Their Noun Roles

Hello, Queenbu

Thanks for your help (I have Michael Swan's book as well!).
As for your querie, you can either say "I regret leaving" or "having left".
Sei Italiano?

Ciao

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

Thanks Humble!
But still I don't know whether the use of regret + ing is restricted to events in the past, or there are exceptions to refer to a future/present action (i.e. "I regret having to say...")
Thanks anyway

Regret is one of a group of verbs (remember, forget) which can take the infinitive or gerund depending upon the meaning. Regret in the past takes the gerund; regret in the present takes the infinitive:

Regret in the past
I regret (2) trusting (1) her.
This is because gerund is retrospective in view and implies experience.

Regret in the present
I regret (1) to say (2) we cannot accept it. This means infinitive is prospective ie looks forward in time.

[queenbu]

What was the whole sentence, Carla?
P.S. No, I'm Maltese.

[queenbu]

Regret is one of a group of verbs (remember, forget) which can take the infinitive or gerund depending upon the meaning. Regret in the past takes the gerund; regret in the present takes the infinitive:
Regret in the past
I regret (2) trusting (1) her.
This is because gerund is retrospective in view and implies experience.
Regret in the present
I regret (1) to say (2) we cannot accept it. This means infinitive is prospective ie looks forward in time.

Isn't it ok to say 'I regret having to leave now but it's late.'?

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

Isn't it ok to say 'I regret having to leave now but it's late.'?

No, it isn't becase regret is the first (prospective view).

[queenbu]

No, it isn't becase regret is the first (prospective view).

I know that by that criterion it's not ok. But it doesn't sound wrong to me. I tried googling it and have in fact found it to be used, for example, in My Monster: reasons: “I regret having to leave, but I am currently experiencing medical issues that prevent me from continuing in this position."
Then I went on UK pages only and found, in :: ST Personal training ::,
I regret having to leave his services, however due to relocating I was unable to continue.
This last sentence makes me wonder. I would have writtenone of these two:
1. I regret having had to leave his services, however I was unable to continue.
2. I regret having to leave his services however I am unable to continue.
Am I complicating things?