I'm afraid that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I'm afraid that" is correct and usable in written English
It is generally used to express regret, concern, or reluctance about a certain situation. For example: I'm afraid that I won't be able to attend the event tonight due to a prior engagement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I'm afraid that would be me," he said.

The New Yorker

I'm afraid that has changed.

The New Yorker

"Frankly, I'm afraid that we might.

The New Yorker

I'm afraid that it works.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm afraid that doesn't matter.

The Guardian - Tech

David: I'm afraid that ain't happening.

The New York Times

I'm afraid that leads them to restaurants".

The New York Times - Food

"I'm afraid that it will be even worse," he said.

The New York Times

"I'm afraid that things will crash down on him.

The New Yorker

I'm afraid that Edward will have a revelation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm afraid that besides minors, adults will buy loosies, too".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm afraid that" to soften bad news or express disagreement politely. It helps to create a more considerate and less confrontational tone.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "I'm afraid that" in a single piece of writing. While polite, excessive repetition can weaken your message. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm afraid that" functions as a discourse marker or hedge. It prefaces a statement, often expressing reluctance, regret, or disagreement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is generally used to express regret, concern, or reluctance about a certain situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I'm afraid that" is a highly versatile phrase used primarily to soften statements expressing regret, disagreement, or bad news. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across a wide range of reliable sources. It is most commonly found in News & Media, followed by Science and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, overuse should be avoided to maintain impact. Consider related phrases like "I regret to say that" or "Unfortunately" for variety. This phrase strikes a balance between politeness and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I regret to say that

Offers a more formal tone, emphasizing the speaker's regret.

I'm sorry to inform you that

Similar in expressing regret while delivering bad news, but more direct.

Unfortunately

A concise way to introduce unwelcome information or a disappointing outcome.

I'm concerned that

Highlights the speaker's worry or apprehension about a situation.

It worries me that

Emphasizes the speaker's personal concern and emotional involvement.

It's my understanding that

Introduces information based on the speaker's comprehension, often implying potential uncertainty.

I have a feeling that

Suggests an intuition or premonition, often without concrete evidence.

I suspect that

Indicates a belief or assumption based on limited evidence.

I anticipate that

Expresses an expectation or prediction about a future event.

Regrettably

A more succinct and formal way to express regret.

FAQs

What does "I'm afraid that" mean?

The phrase "I'm afraid that" is a polite way to express regret, disagreement, or bad news. It softens the impact of the statement that follows.

How can I use "I'm afraid that" in a sentence?

You can use "I'm afraid that" to introduce news you think will be disappointing, for example, "I'm afraid that /s/I+can't+make+it to the meeting." or opinions others may not share: "I'm afraid that /s/I+disagree with your assessment.".

What's a more formal alternative to "I'm afraid that"?

A more formal alternative is "/s/I+regret+to+inform+you+that", which is suitable for business or official communications.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "I'm afraid that"?

While generally polite, "I'm afraid that" may sound insincere if used excessively or in situations requiring directness and clarity. Consider alternatives if brevity is crucial.