I'm afraid so
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/aɪm əˈfreɪd soʊ/
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To confirm something while expressing regret.
Examples
Do you like the new policy? I'm afraid so, it's not what we hoped for.
Did you finish the report? I'm afraid so, I ran out of time.
Will we make the deadline? I'm afraid so, we need more work.
Is the product still in stock? I'm afraid so, it's already sold out.
I'm afraid so, the meeting will be postponed.
Similar words
yes, regrettably
yes, sadly
yes, unfortunately
yes, I'm sorry
yes, but with disappointment
Meanings
Examples
I'm afraid so, the meeting will be postponed.
We wanted to go out, I'm afraid so, the weather is bad.
Did you finish the report? I'm afraid so, I ran out of time.
Can we get a refund? I'm afraid so, the policy doesn't allow it.
Is the product still in stock? I'm afraid so, it's already sold out.
Will we make the deadline? I'm afraid so, we need more work.
Do you like the new policy? I'm afraid so, it's not what we hoped for.
Similar words
yes, unfortunately
yes, I'm sorry
yes, regrettably
yes, sadly
yes, but with disappointment
Etymology
A fixed expression built from ordinary words whose combination has become conventional.
FAQ
What does I'm afraid so mean?
It is used to confirm something while expressing regret.
How is I'm afraid so used in everyday conversation?
Say it when you need to answer yes but want to show worry or disappointment.
Can you give an example sentence with I'm afraid so?
"Did the flight get delayed?" – "I'm afraid so."
What synonyms can replace I'm afraid so?
"yes, unfortunately", "yes, I'm sorry", "yes, regrettably", "yes, sadly", "yes, but with disappointment".
What is the register of I'm afraid so?
It has a neutral register.
In what domain is I'm afraid so typically used?
It belongs to the everyday domain.
Is I'm afraid so considered formal or informal?
It is neutral and works in informal spoken contexts, not formal writing.
When should I choose I'm afraid so over a simple "yes"?
Use it when you want to give an affirmative answer and convey regret or disappointment.
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