COMMUNICATING BAD NEWS

Good morning!

In response to the Daily Vitamin on CONDOLENCES (January 16, 2012), we received the following request from Dolors T.:

Is it possible to have a lesson showing the right way to communicate to English people that someone died or passed away?

There are several phrases you can use to communicate bad news, either about someone's death or some other unfortunate incident or occurrence.

Expression 1: I'm (so) sorry to tell you that... / I'm (so) sorry to have to tell you that...

Expression 2: I regret to tell you that... / I regret to inform you that... (Very formal; often used in writing)

Expression 3: (I'm afraid) I have some bad news to tell you...

Let's look at these expressions in different contexts to see how they can introduce the communication of bad news.

Example 1:
I'm so sorry to tell you that Alice Jameson died yesterday evening after a long illness.

Example 2:
I'm sorry to have to tell you that we won't be renewing your contract.

Example 3:
I regret to inform you that you have not been accepted to Oxbridge University.

Example 4:
I'm afraid I have some bad news to tell you. There was a fire in the parking garage yesterday and your car was affected. I hope you have insurance.

I hope this helps, Dolors. If anybody has any questions about these expressions or how to use them, please leave us a comment in the Daily Vitamin section on our website.

May your day be filled only with good news!