30-09-2013, 12:17 PM
How To be Polite in English
Does it seem like the things you say often cause offense? Are you having trouble getting people to respond to your requests? If so, maybe people are percieving that your English isn't polite. Learn how to avoid being rude with this great guide!
Can you pass me...?
People do not like being told what to do, so it's sometimes difficult to get what you want without causing frustration. Replace phrases that sound like commands, such as "Give me the newspaper", with a request like "Can you pass me the newspaper?"
Could you give me five minutes?
You're really busy at work, but your coworker needs your help... When you're busy and can't attend to anything else, just saying "Go away" is definitely not appropriate. Instead, keep everyone happy by using the phrase "Could you give me five minutes?
"Excuse me.
Telling someone to "Move out of the way" is extremely rude and is likely going to get you a very negative reaction. The next time someone is in your way, saying "Excuse me" will get the result you want without causing offense!
Can you hold, please?
Choosing the correct level of politeness on the telephone can mean the difference between a constructive conversation and no conversation at all. If a caller asks to speak with someone else, don't say, "Wait". Instead, politely ask, "Can you hold, please?
"would you mind...?
Someone doing something you don't like, and perhaps being rude? Would you like them to stop? To get the desired result, rather than shouting "Stop talking on your phone in the cinema!", ask them politely by saying, "Would you mind not using your phone in the cinema, please?
"I would like...
It's often considered rude to request something using the words, "I want". Instead of, "I want a cup of coffee", try telling a waiter, "I’d like a cup of coffee, please". You'll get your coffee and a smile, too!
"Thank you...
When someone does something for you or gives you something, say "thank you." In the United Kingdom, ta and cheers can also be used. When you are really pleased, you can say thank you very much.There are three different expressions that you can use to respond to thank you:
you're welcome - basic
my pleasure - expresses the idea that you were happy to do it
don't mention it - informal
Not Understanding
In English, when we don’t understand what someone says, the first reaction would be to say “sorry?” This is the most common way, and it is considered to be polite .
Sorry? – It’s polite and they will repeat, maybe even simplify what they just said.
Pardon (me)? – A more polite way of saying sorry. This is sometimes used in a a more formal situation.
Excuse me? – This is asking the person to repeat. Depending on the tone of your voice, it could express shock at what the person said, or maybe that you didn’t like the context of what they said.
Disagreeing
have you ever had to disagree with someone, but you didn’t want to be sound defensive.in English, we use these softening tools to make what we say not so so direct.
I see what you’re saying, but I think…
You could be right, but don’t forget that…
Yes that’s true, but I’m not sure that…
Special Expressions
bless you:This is a polite expression used after someone sneezes.
cheers:When making a toast (where you clink your glasses together with friends or family), "cheers" is the expression used most.
do not use the word “may” in a polite question when “you” is the subject.For example:
May you please close the door?![[عکس: arrow_rt.gif]](http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/images/arrow_rt.gif)
Wrong!
Could you please close the door? Right!
Can you pass me...?
People do not like being told what to do, so it's sometimes difficult to get what you want without causing frustration. Replace phrases that sound like commands, such as "Give me the newspaper", with a request like "Can you pass me the newspaper?"
Could you give me five minutes?
You're really busy at work, but your coworker needs your help... When you're busy and can't attend to anything else, just saying "Go away" is definitely not appropriate. Instead, keep everyone happy by using the phrase "Could you give me five minutes?
"Excuse me.
Telling someone to "Move out of the way" is extremely rude and is likely going to get you a very negative reaction. The next time someone is in your way, saying "Excuse me" will get the result you want without causing offense!
Can you hold, please?
Choosing the correct level of politeness on the telephone can mean the difference between a constructive conversation and no conversation at all. If a caller asks to speak with someone else, don't say, "Wait". Instead, politely ask, "Can you hold, please?
"would you mind...?
Someone doing something you don't like, and perhaps being rude? Would you like them to stop? To get the desired result, rather than shouting "Stop talking on your phone in the cinema!", ask them politely by saying, "Would you mind not using your phone in the cinema, please?
"I would like...
It's often considered rude to request something using the words, "I want". Instead of, "I want a cup of coffee", try telling a waiter, "I’d like a cup of coffee, please". You'll get your coffee and a smile, too!
"Thank you...
When someone does something for you or gives you something, say "thank you." In the United Kingdom, ta and cheers can also be used. When you are really pleased, you can say thank you very much.There are three different expressions that you can use to respond to thank you:
you're welcome - basic
my pleasure - expresses the idea that you were happy to do it
don't mention it - informal
Not Understanding
In English, when we don’t understand what someone says, the first reaction would be to say “sorry?” This is the most common way, and it is considered to be polite .
Sorry? – It’s polite and they will repeat, maybe even simplify what they just said.
Pardon (me)? – A more polite way of saying sorry. This is sometimes used in a a more formal situation.
Excuse me? – This is asking the person to repeat. Depending on the tone of your voice, it could express shock at what the person said, or maybe that you didn’t like the context of what they said.
Disagreeing
have you ever had to disagree with someone, but you didn’t want to be sound defensive.in English, we use these softening tools to make what we say not so so direct.
I see what you’re saying, but I think…
You could be right, but don’t forget that…
Yes that’s true, but I’m not sure that…
Special Expressions
bless you:This is a polite expression used after someone sneezes.
cheers:When making a toast (where you clink your glasses together with friends or family), "cheers" is the expression used most.
do not use the word “may” in a polite question when “you” is the subject.For example:
May you please close the door?
Wrong!Could you please close the door?
Right!
