Username
rad
Member Since
May 1, 2006
Total number of comments
1
Total number of votes received
1
Bio
Unpacking English, Bit by Bit
A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.
Unpacking English, Bit by Bit
A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.
Unpacking English, Bit by Bit
A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.
Username
rad
Member Since
May 1, 2006
Total number of comments
1
Total number of votes received
1
Bio
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Afraid not
The most common phrase in spoken English to show that the speaker recognises that his/her reaction is in some way unhelpful or unwelcome is "I'm afraid" or "I'm afraid no". It may warn of disagreement, but its general meaning is wider and indicates the speakter sees his/her reaction as unavoidably unhelpful.