Very sadly, it seems...
Else clues• ___ the worst
• *Sorry to say...
• ___ neither sword nor fire (Shak.)
• ___ we shall out-sleep the coming morn: Shak.
• 'Alas, it seems
• 'Alas...
• Bad news
• Here comes the bad news...
• It distresses me to say...
• Methinks, before bad news
• My concern is that...
• Sad to say...
• Whom shall ___? (Psalms 27:1)
• Apprehensive lead-in
• Bad-news intro
• Concerned opener
• Lead-in to a bit of bad news
• Lead-in to bad news
• Pessimistic remark's opening
• Start of a bit of bad news
• Tag of trepidation
• Words of apprehension