3. Dealing with Situations
Use the right English for the right situation
There is such a thing as "polite English"
Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
4. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Polite speech (would and could)
• Mastering how to use the auxiliary verbs,
would and could, is an important part of
learning polite speech
• Let’s look at some examples...
5. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Informal Speech Polite Speech
I want to do something. I would like to do something.
I want/need you to do something for me. I would like you to do something for
me.
I would appreciate if you could do
something for me.
It would be great if you could do
something for me.
6. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Informal Speech Polite Speech
Do you want something to drink? Would you like something to drink?
Do you want to cancel the
appointment?
Would you like to cancel the
appointment?
Is it OK with you?
Do you mind if I leave early today?
Would it be all right?
Would you mind if I leave early today?
7. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Informal Speech Polite Speech
Can you do this for me? Could you do this for me?
Can we change the meeting time? Could we change the meeting
time?
Would it be possible to change the
meeting time?
8. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Informal Speech Polite Speech
Can you give me a ride home? I was wondering if you could give
me a ride home.
Do you have a minute? Could you spare me a few
moments?
9. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Informal Speech Polite Speech
I’m sorry but he’s not available
right now.
I’m afraid he is not available right
now.
Can I bother you for a second? Do you mind if I interrupt for a
moment?
10. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
Informal Speech Polite Speech
Can I come in? May I come in?
Write down your name here. Please write down your name
here.
11. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
I’m afraid~ = 申し上げにくいのですが(相手への丁寧な断り・
遠慮)
I was wondering if I could~=~してもらえるかどうか(前
々から)考えていたのですが。
Do you mind if I do something?=~してもいいでしょうか。
12. Informal Speech vs. Formal Speech
May I ~?=~してもいいですか。
Please~=~してください。
OR you can also add “please” at the end of your
question to make it sound more polite
e.g. Could you hold on for a second please?
13. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
• The difference between informal speech
and polite speech can sometimes be
best shown in greetings
• Let’s look at some examples of different
ways of saying “thank you”...
14. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
Different ways of saying “Thank you.”
Informal Speech Polite Speech
Thanks a lot.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you (very much) for ~
I appreciate your ~
15. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
Different ways of saying “I’m sorry.”
Informal Speech Polite Speech
I’m sorry.
Sorry about that.
I’m sorry about ~
(*Tip: You can add adverbs to make
it sound more polite.)
I’m terribly sorry about ~
I’m truly sorry about ~
I apologize for ~
Please accept my apology for ~
16. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
Setting 1: Two friends discussing a problem
Mike: Hey, I’m terribly sorry for being late, man.
Todd: Mike, I’ve been waiting for an hour!
Mike: Please accept my apology for wasting your
time.
Todd: I forgive you.
17. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
Setting 1: Two friends discussing a problem
Mike: Hey, sorry I’m late, man.
Todd: Mike, I’ve been waiting for an hour!
Mike: Sorry about that.
Todd: Don’t worry about it.
18. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
Setting 2: Two business people discussing a problem
Sam: Hey, can I come in?
Eric: Um, I’m kind of in the middle of some work Sam, but sure.
Sam: I want to pick my daughter up from school. I need you to
let me leave work early today.
Eric: Sorry, can’t do that. Got too much work that needs to be
done.
19. Business Scene vs. Casual Scene
Setting 2: Two business people discussing a problem
Sam: Excuse me, may I come in?
Eric: Oh, hi Sam! I’m just finishing up some work, but sure, I
can spare a minute.
Sam: I would like to pick my daughter up from school. It would
be great if you could let me leave work early today.
Eric: Gosh, I’m terribly sorry but we need you here Sam. There’s
just too much work that needs to be done.
20. Conclusion
The final and most important point...
• You can never be too polite.
• Remember: Sincerity matters most.
• Show respect and you will be fine!
The objective of this lesson is to learn how to change your “language” in a variety of different situations.
“There is no such thing as polite speech in English.”
While this statement speaks truth about the language to some extent, when compared to a language like Japanese, which requires one to differentiate several types of speech clearly from one another, English learners should be aware of the difference between informal speech and polite speech.
In this lesson, you will learn the appropriate usage of informal speech and polite speech.
To be more polite, you need to be aware of what informal speech is, and what formal speech is.
Informal speech is used in casual situations, while formal speech is used in business situations.
Mastering how to use the auxiliary verbs, would and could, is an important part of learning polite speech.
Let’s look at some examples...
By replacing "want" with the auxillary verb, "would," expressing your needs seems less selfish to the listener.
When asking the listener for what they want, using "would" seems less direct and more polite.
Asking if something is "OK" instead of "alright" seems a bit more childish. It is best to switch the words in polite speech.
Asking the listener if they "mind" is less informal because you are considering the listener`s feelings.
Asking if something is "OK" instead of "alright" seems a bit more childish. It is best to switch the words in polite speech.
Asking the listener if they "mind" is less informal because you are considering the listener`s feelings.
In all of these examples, changing "can" to the auxiliary verb, "could," is an easy way to make your English more polite.
This is because you are asking the listener if your request is a possibility, instead of simply asking them to do it.
In the last example, you make the listener feel like they are doing you a favor by "sparing" or giving you their time. This makes it more polite and increases the listener`s likelihood of saying, "yes."
In all of these examples, changing "can" to the auxiliary verb, "could," is an easy way to make your English more polite.
This is because you are asking the listener if your request is a possibility, instead of simply asking them to do it.
In the last example, you make the listener feel like they are doing you a favor by "sparing" or giving you their time. This makes it more polite and increases the listener`s likelihood of saying, "yes."
Here are some other important expressions used in informal and polite speech...
By using "afraid" instead of "sorry," you express your disappointment that you are turning the listener down.
The second phrase here concentrates on the listener`s feelings about you interrupting, instead of just asking the listener if you can do what you want to do.
The third phrase becomes much more polite when you use "may" instead of "can." This is because "can" just asks the listener if they will allow you to come in, but "may" asks them if they will allow it and focuses more on how they feel about it.
The informal speech in the fourth example seems more like an order. By using "please," the sentence becomes a request.
There are a number of key phrases you should know on your journey to speaking polite English.
Here are just a few of these must-know key phrases:
I’m afraid ~
I was wondering if I could ~
Do you mind if I do something?
May I ~ ?
Please ~ OR you can also add “please” at the end of your question to make it sound more polite
e.g. Could you hold on for a second, please?
May I ~ ?
Please ~ OR you can also add “please” at the end of your question to make it sound more polite
e.g. Could you hold on for a second, please?
To be more polite, you need to be aware of what kind of scene or situation it is.
A business scene requires a higher level of politeness than a casual scene. You should use polite speech in a business scene and informal speech in a casual scene. The difference between informal speech and polite speech can sometimes be best shown in greetings. It is important to get these right because they are your first impression on someone.
Let’s look at some examples of different ways of saying “thank you”...
There are many different ways to say "Thank you."
In polite speech, it adds sincerity when you tell the listener why you are thankful. This lets them know you are really thinking about their efforts and the "thank you" seems much more personal.
There are many different ways to say "I’m sorry."
A short apology sounds less sincere, or less like you mean it. The more you go into detail about why you are sorry or what you are sorry for, the more polite your speech becomes. Adverbs also help to increase the level of politeness. They show the listener how sorry you are.
Now let’s take a look at the dialogue below.
See if you can change the word choices to make the level of politeness appropriate for the situation and speakers.
Setting 1: Two friends discussing a problem
Mike: Hey, I`m terribly sorry for being late, man.
Todd: Mike, I`ve been waiting for an hour!
Mike: Please accept my apology for wasting your time.
Todd: I forgive you.
The previous example seemed inappropriate, right?
Here is one way you could have changed the level of politeness to reflect the friendly relationship of the speakers and the informal setting:
[Correct]
Mike: Hey, sorry I’m late, man.
Todd: Mike, I’ve been waiting for an hour!
Mike: Sorry about that.
Todd: Don’t worry about it.
By using speech which is less polite and more informal, the situation seems more believable.
Let’s try again with a new setting.
Change the word choices to make the level of politeness appropriate for the situation and speakers.
Setting 2: Two business people discussing a problem
Sam: Hey, can I come in?
Eric: Um, I`m kind of in the middle of some work Sam, but sure.
Sam: I want to pick my daughter up from school. I need you to let me leave work early today.
Eric: Sorry, can`t do that. Got too much work that needs to be done.
Could you figure out what was inappropriate about the word choices in this conversation?
Here is one way you could have changed the level of politeness to reflect the professional relationship of the speakers and the formal setting:
[Correct]
Sam: Excuse me, may I come in?
Eric: Oh, hi Sam! I`m just finishing up some work, but sure, I can spare a minute.
Sam: I would like to pick my daughter up from school. It would be great if you could let me leave work early today.
Eric: Gosh, I`m terribly sorry but we need you here Sam. There`s just too much work that needs to be done.
By using speech which is more polite and more formal, the situation seems more believable.
The last point is quite simple: you can never be too polite.
You should always remember that it is your sincerity that matters the most when trying to speak politely in any formal situations. Show your respect and you will be fine in any situation.