It grieves me to say...

Meaning

Expressing sadness and regret about having to deliver bad news.

Examples

• John: 'I'm afraid the project has been cancelled.'
• Alice: '<b>It grieves me to say</b> this, but I expected as much given the circumstances.'
• John: '<b>It grieves me to say</b> that, but it was unavoidable due to the financial difficulties.'
• Alice: 'We've had to let some staff go.'