I am afraid however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am afraid however" is quite common and is perfectly acceptable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express regret or disappointment in a situation. For example: "I am afraid however, that we have run out of your favorite flavor of ice cream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I am afraid, however, that the audience, the largest of the year, was far from disappointed".

The New Yorker

I am afraid however, that all this paperwork suffocates its own raison d'être.

The Guardian

I am afraid, however, that the American psyche is not ready to cede such control.

The New York Times

"I am afraid, however, the news is not good news," Straus wrote to Otto Frank on July 1 , 1941

The New York Times - Arts

I am afraid, however, that the audience, the largest of the year, was far from disappointed". Welles was thirteen.

The New Yorker

I am afraid, however, that the Democrats will cave, and having come so close to reforming health care, abandon the effort.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I'm afraid, however, that I will not be able to do it because of other commitments.

Harvard Business Review

I'm afraid, however, that such conclusions are made with haste only in relation to my country".

The New York Times

I'm afraid, however, that this industry, broadly-defined to include movies, television, music, and video games, is no longer just an elephant.

Huffington Post

I'm afraid however that the Europeans have such a powerful system of taboos and inhibitions around the immigration question that there is not much hope for rational debate". Belgian ALDE member Guy Verhofstadt called on governments to tackle the refugee crisis: "We suffer the consequences.

European Parliament

She is afraid, however, that her children might face repercussions if she takes up a petition against the idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am afraid however" to soften bad news or express disagreement politely. It's effective for delivering a contrasting viewpoint without sounding overly harsh or confrontational.

Common error

Avoid using "I am afraid however" in very casual settings; it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "but" or "though" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am afraid however" functions as a discourse marker. It is used to introduce a contrast or a reservation, often softening the impact of negative information. It indicates a polite disagreement or a disappointing situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I am afraid however" serves as a polite and somewhat formal way to introduce a contrasting point or deliver disappointing information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in very informal settings to maintain a natural tone. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "unfortunately however" or "regrettably however" for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I regret to say, however

Emphasizes regret more explicitly than the original phrase.

Unfortunately, however

Highlights the unfortunate aspect of the situation more directly.

I'm sorry to say, but

Uses a more direct expression of sorrow before presenting the contrasting information.

Regrettably, however

Uses an adverb to express regret, creating a slightly more formal tone.

With regret, however

Formally introduces the regret before proceeding with the contrast.

I'm afraid to say, nevertheless

Uses "nevertheless" for a stronger sense of contrast.

I hesitate to add, however

Highlights the speaker's hesitation in presenting the contrasting information.

It is with some reluctance that I say, however

More formal and elaborate way to express hesitation and regret.

Though I'm loath to admit, however

Emphasizes the speaker's unwillingness to concede the point.

Despite my reservations, however

Focuses on overcoming personal reservations to state the contrasting point.

FAQs

How can I use "I am afraid however" in a sentence?

Use "I am afraid however" to politely introduce a contrasting or disappointing piece of information. For example, "I appreciate your offer, I am afraid however, that I won't be able to accept it at this time."

What are some alternatives to "I am afraid however"?

Alternatives include phrases like "unfortunately however", "regrettably however", or "I regret to say however", which can be used to express a similar sentiment with slightly different emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "I am afraid however"?

Yes, "I am afraid however" is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce a contrasting statement following an expression of regret or concern.

What is the best context to use "I am afraid however"?

"I am afraid however" is best used in situations where you want to deliver disappointing news or express disagreement politely. It is suitable for formal or semi-formal contexts, such as business communications or academic discussions.