Be sorry for/to

[Jesus1]

Hello! Nice Sunday? Here it?s cloudy but the sun
is trying to sweep away all those clouds which
don?t let him look at me!

Well, I?m sorry for distracting (?) attention from the
topic.
Anyway, I would like you to explain to me the
difference between be sorry for + gerund and be sorry to +
infinitive. I?ve been taking a look at my grammar book
and says (because my grammar book speaks clearly and is very talkative as well, didn?t you know? ) ) that 'be sorry for + gerund' means apologize
or regret and 'be sorry to+ infinitive' can express
regret or sadness.

So, How can I know when I have to use one or
another if both of them express regret?

I?ve been thinking about some examples.

1.- I am sorry for interrupting you
2.- I am sorry to interrupt you
3.- I am sorry for having told you such lies.
4.- I am sorry that you must abandon the job.
5.- I am sorry to tell you the truth.
6.- I am sorry to run your cat over.
7.- I am sorry for running your cat over.

Can you correct them, please?

Thank you very much indeed!

Jes?s

[Alan]

Hi,

1.- I am sorry for interrupting you
2.- I am sorry to interrupt you
3.- I am sorry for having told you such lies.
4.- I am sorry that you must abandon the job.
5.- I am sorry to HAVE TO tell you the truth.
6.- I am sorry to run your cat over. (DOESN'T MAKE SENSE)
7.- I am sorry for running your cat over.

Sorry to do something is usually an apology for what you are going to say/do

Sorry for doing something is usually an apology for what you have done/said.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Subjunctive

[Jesus1]

Hi, Alan!

I get the point!

But, what do you think about (I know it sounds cruel)
'I am sorry to have to run your cat over'?

Would it be right?

Thanks indeed!

Jes?s

[Alan]

Hi,

Technically and grammatically it is correct and even though I don't like cats, it suggests that you have to 'execute' the cat! A bit cruel, really.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Phrasal Verbs/take

[Jesus1]

Thanks a lot, Alan!

Have a marvelous Sunday!

[Yankee]

[Jesus1]

Hi, Amy! If you mean I am not going to be succesful,
I am sorry to say that... Well, you know.
It?s so easy to have a cat by your side!
Then, you take that opportunity to... Bang!
Mmmmm!

I am not talking seriously, you know.
Tell your cats to enjoy Sunday!



Jes?s