Infinitive or gerund??

[Nandeska]

What is right :
I regret NOT TO BE able to go on a 15- night Caribbean cruise. OR I regret NOT BEING able to go on ..... ???

 

[Rover_KE]

'I regret not being able to...'

 

[konungursvia]

I agree with Rover.... but maybe it's all the French I've been listening to on RFI, the other alternative sounds acceptable to me too.

 

[Nandeska]

Rover,could you please explain why??
In my opinion both answers can be acceptable, as the verb regret allows infinitive or gerund after itself , e.g 1) We regret to inform you, that u won't get this job. ( here we regret and then inform )
2) She regrets informing him about it. ( she informed earlier and now regrets; regrets about something that happened before)

 

[5jj]

Rover,could you please explain why??
In my opinion both answers can be acceptable, as the verb regret allows infinitive or gerund after itself , e.g 1) We regret to inform you, that you won't get this job. ( here we regret and then inform )
2) She regrets informing him about it. ( she informed earlier and now regrets; regrets about something that happened before)

You have answered your own question. We use the two forms for different situations.

 

[Nandeska]

Yes, I know the rule, but can't understand why this sentence with gerund " I regret not being able to go on a 15- night Caribbean cruise" is correct and with infinitive is wrong?

 

[5jj]

Yes, I know the rule, but can't understand why this sentence with gerund " I regret not being able to go on a 15- night Caribbean cruise" is correct and with infinitive is wrong?

You regret to do something that you are on the point of doing. We normally regret to tell/inform somebody of something.

We regret (not) doing something in the past.