What exactly the word afraid means for Americans? [closed]

american-english british-english

Solution 1:

Though the primary meaning of afraid is to have fear, a very common use is

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/afraid :

  1. (colloquial) regretful, sorry

    I am afraid I cannot help you in this matter.

This usage is common in both American and British English.

The phrase is commonly used as a politeness marker, and is often interchangeable with unfortunately or sorry to say.

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