Another way of saying “unfortunately”/“I’m sorry for the inconvenience”. Trying to let the person know it was unintentional on your end by taking blame on yourself in some fashion.
Also it’s a softening word in a phrase like ‘do we have milk?’, ‘I’m afraid not’ you’re putting yourself on the side of the person like you’re saying ‘i also wish we had milk’ and leaving the possibility you’re wrong, it’s not such a harsh blow.
Another way of saying “unfortunately”/“I’m sorry for the inconvenience”. Trying to let the person know it was unintentional on your end by taking blame on yourself in some fashion.
Also it’s a softening word in a phrase like ‘do we have milk?’, ‘I’m afraid not’ you’re putting yourself on the side of the person like you’re saying ‘i also wish we had milk’ and leaving the possibility you’re wrong, it’s not such a harsh blow.