Help the stressed office worker, Marcus, politely decline yet another committee assignment without making his boss angry. Choose the best phrase for each gap.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for thinking of me! _________________________, but I'm completely swamped this week. _________________________, I won't be able to join the committee right now. Let's catch up next month!
I'd love to, but I'm completely swamped this week.
When saying no, starting with "I'd love to, but..." softens the refusal and shows that you appreciate the offer. "I'm afraid" and "I wish" do not fit grammatically before ", but".
Unfortunately, I won't be able to join the committee right now.
"Unfortunately" is the standard, professional adverb used to introduce bad news or a polite refusal in Business English. While "unluckily" has a similar literal meaning, it sounds unnatural in this context.