How to Sound Polite in English
How Brits soften the language to sound more polite
Would you be so kind as to allow me to talk with you about using polite language in your spoken English? Although we may not be the most polite people in the world, our language certainly suggests that we should be! We go to great lengths to be considerate and to try and avoid hurting other people’s feelings.
Examples of polite English expressions
Take a look at these descriptions of my friends. Then take a look at my literal translations of my politeness.
- She’s a bit loud.
- She can be a little rude.
- He is sometimes a bit boring.
- She is really loud, I would bring earplugs if I were you!
- She is always sooo rude.
- He is the most boring person in the world.
1 simple way to soften the language and sound more polite
Softening the negative message
As the above examples show, British people use words like ‘a bit’ and ‘a little’ before the adjective to soften the insult. Moreover, we use phrases like ‘can be’, ‘perhaps’ and ‘sometimes’ to suggest that the person isn’t normally rude, loud, or boring. But of course, as mean that they always are!
Look that these sentences. See if you can find how I soften a message by using certain phrases.
- I’m afraid you were unsuccessful in your job application.
- So sorry, but you’re standing on my foot!
- To be honest, I just need to be alone at the moment.
- Unfortunately I have no choice but to expel you from school.
- With all respect, you need to stop talking now.
- With the best will in the world, I just don’t think your cut out to be a doctor.
What do these sentences really mean?
As I hope, you noticed! I used: ‘I’m afraid’, ‘so sorry’, ‘to be honest’, ‘unfortunately’, ‘with all respect’ and ‘with the best will in the world’ to make the message less harsh and slightly kinder.
Another way that people soften the blow of a negative message is by adding two simple words. For example:
There will be a delay to the ten o’clock flight to Hong Kong.
We can make this message less painful as follows:
There might be a slight delay to the ten o’clock flight to Hong Kong.
By adding two words to the sentence, we have succeeded in making it much more diplomatic. By using the modal verb, ‘might’, and the qualifier, ‘slight’, the sentence seems much more polite!
I hope you enjoy making your spoken English less abrupt and softer! With these tricks you can really make a difference to how polite you sound in English!