The Secret to Polite English

Summary

In this engaging lesson, Tom the English Hipster reveals the secret to politeness in English communication. He emphasizes that being polite involves using more words and being indirect, which shows respect to the listener. Through practical examples, he illustrates how to make requests, refuse invitations, seek clarification, and express disagreement politely. The lesson highlights the importance of context and appropriate phrasing to achieve politeness, ultimately guiding learners to enhance their English speaking skills. By using the right expressions, learners can transform direct statements into more courteous interactions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Being polite in English is crucial for showing respect to others.
• 😀 Politeness is important in all situations, not just formal contexts.
• 😀 The more words used in a request, the more polite it tends to be.
• 😀 Using modal verbs like 'could' and 'would' can enhance the politeness of requests.
• 😀 Context plays a vital role in determining the level of politeness needed.
• 😀 When refusing an invitation, using more words makes the response more polite.
• 😀 Asking for clarification should be done with more words to maintain politeness.
• 😀 Indirect phrases can soften disagreement and make responses more courteous.
• 😀 Constructing polite sentences requires choosing the right words carefully.
• 😀 Practice using these strategies to improve your polite communication in English.

Q & A

Why is politeness important in English communication?

Politeness is crucial because it shows respect for the person you are speaking to, regardless of the formality of the situation.

What is the relationship between the number of words used and politeness?

Generally, the more words you use in a request, the less direct and more polite it is perceived to be.

How can a direct request be made more polite?

A direct request can be softened by adding phrases like 'please' or using modal verbs like 'could' or 'would'.

What is an example of a very direct request?

'Pen?' is an example of a very direct request that can come off as rude.

What is a polite way to request a pen?

A polite request could be, 'Excuse me, I'm so sorry to bother you, but would you mind passing me the pen, please?'

How does context affect politeness in requests?

The level of politeness needed can vary based on the context; for example, in a busy coffee shop, simpler phrases are acceptable, while asking a stranger for help requires more elaborate politeness.

What is a polite way to refuse an invitation?

A polite refusal could be, 'I'd love to, but unfortunately, I've got plans tonight.'

How should one respond if they don't understand what someone has said?

Instead of saying 'What?', a more polite response would be, 'I'm sorry, what did you say?'

What is a respectful way to express disagreement?

A respectful way to express disagreement would be to say, 'I'm not so sure about that...' followed by your reasoning.

What final advice does Tom give about being polite in English?

Tom advises that to be polite, one should use more words and be indirect, while considering the context and choosing appropriate phrases.