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> Regrettably, this will have an intended impact

This reads weird to me (non-native English speaker). How can you regrettably reach your intended impact? Is that some kind of an idiom?



Non-native speaker myself, I had to do a double take as well. I think 'to regret sth' can have two slightly different meanings:

1. If I could reverse time, I would decide differently getting a different outcome.

2. I am sad that this happens, but it is still the preferable outcome, compared to the alternative.

I think I 'default' to the first meaning. But in this case the second is probably more fitting.


I think they are threading a fine line here. They regret that they had to make these plans. Or, note to investors: we are firing people but it was expected.


I'm a native speaker and it is paradoxical to me, too.




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