I'm afraid (clause)

Use this phrase when you have to give someone information that they won't like. For example, a waiter can say this to a customer:

I'm very sorry, sir, but I'm afraid we're all out of the salmon.

You can use this phrase to say "no" to a request:

A: Excuse me, can you spare some change?

B: I'm afraid not.

"I'm afraid..." is a little bit formal.

Notice that this phrase doesn't actually mean that you're frightened; it's just a polite way to show that what you're going to say will be disappointing to the listener.

I have some bad news.

This is a phrase that you say to someone, before you tell them about something negative. For example, a manager can tell an employee that another employee was fired:

Hey, listen. I have some bad news. We had to let Bradley go today.

The phrase "I have some bad news" is appropriate for serious problems like:

• someone losing their job
• getting in an accident
• not getting selected for a job, a school, an award, etc.
• losing money
• the death of someone you don't know well

But it's not strong enough for really bad events, like the death of a close friend or family member. In that situation, phrases like these are better:

Lana, I have some horrible news. Aunt Coco was killed in a car accident.

A: What's wrong?

B: Something terrible has happened. Jana was shot.