What is the meaning of "I'm afraid that...." [migrated]
If said, "I am afraid that Shadow was the thief."
Am I saying, (1) I am sorry to say that or I say with regret that Shadow was the thief. So that, I am definitively saying that Shadow was the thief.
or (2) I have a fear that Shadow was the thief. I am not definitively saying that Shadow was the thief but rather I have a worry or fear that she was the thief.
Or can it be interpreted both ways?
Solution 1:
It could be interpreted both ways depending on context. Without context, I would probably assume the former (I regret to inform you that Shadow was the thief).