English grammar
Formal refusals: I'm afraid (that)… / Unfortunately… / it is not possible for us to…
Turn down terms firmly but politely, in writing or aloud, using formal refusal phrases.
From the scene I'm afraid not
In short
Refuse politely with I'm afraid (that)… or unfortunately. Formally: it is not possible for us to + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with the formal way of saying 'we can't'?
Options: it is not possible for us to pay… · I'm afraid that isn't possible · unfortunately, the contract contains errors
Show answer
the formal way of saying 'we can't' → it is not possible for us to pay…
How it works
I'm afraid (that)… and unfortunately soften a refusal in speech or writing.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
"Nor is it possible for us (blank) open a café without fruit."
Options: for · that · to
Show answer
"Nor is it possible for us to open a café without fruit."
"Tampoco nos es posible abrir un café sin fruta."
Good to know
It is not possible for us to + infinitive is the formal way of saying 'we can't', much more businesslike than we can't.
Good to know
That isn't what we had agreed uses the past perfect, because the agreement came before the moment you are complaining about.
a polite way to say no I'm afraid that isn't possible
the formal way of saying 'we can't' it is not possible for us to pay…
Elena
"I'm afraid that it is not possible for us to pay two thousand eight hundred."
"Me temo que no nos es posible pagar dos mil ochocientos."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"I'm afraid that (blank) two thousand eight hundred."
Options: I'm afraid that isn't possible · unfortunately, the contract contains errors · it is not possible for us to pay
Show answer
Elena
"I'm afraid that it is not possible for us to pay two thousand eight hundred."
"Me temo que no nos es posible pagar dos mil ochocientos."
softening bad news in a letter unfortunately, the contract contains errors
Elena
"Dear Doña Pilar, Unfortunately, the contract contains errors."
"Estimada Doña Pilar: lamentablemente, el contrato tiene errores."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Dear Doña Pilar, (blank)."
Options: I'm afraid that isn't possible · It is not possible for us to pay · Unfortunately, the contract contains errors
Show answer
Elena
"Dear Doña Pilar, Unfortunately, the contract contains errors."
"Estimada Doña Pilar: lamentablemente, el contrato tiene errores."
the agreement came before this moment that isn't what we had agreed
Your turn
What goes with that isn't what we had agreed?
Options: the formal way of saying 'we can't' · the agreement came before this moment · a polite way to say no
Show answer
that isn't what we had agreed → the agreement came before this moment
a short, firm refusal I'm afraid not
Common mistake
Not have or did here. Before this moment.
Two thousand eight hundred a month? This isn't what we had agreed!
¿Dos mil ochocientos al mes? ¡Esto no es lo que habíamos acordado!
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a polite way to say no | I'm afraid that isn't possible |
|---|---|
| the formal way of saying 'we can't' | it is not possible for us to pay… |
| softening bad news in a letter | unfortunately, the contract contains errors |
| the agreement came before this moment | that isn't what we had agreed |
| a short, firm refusal | I'm afraid not |
More lines from the story
- TomásTwo thousand eight hundred a month? This isn't what we had agreed!¿Dos mil ochocientos al mes? ¡Esto no es lo que habíamos acordado!
- Elena"Nor is it possible for us to open a café without fruit.""Tampoco nos es posible abrir un café sin fruta."
- NuriaAnd it says here: "Selling fruit is forbidden."Y aquí pone: "Prohibido vender fruta."
- Nuria"I'm afraid that there is nothing more to discuss.""Me temo que no hay nada más que hablar."