{"id":149067,"date":"2023-08-21T02:01:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T06:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/polite-english\/"},"modified":"2025-01-03T08:44:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T13:44:46","slug":"polite-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/english\/polite-english\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be Polite in English"},"content":{"rendered":"

At best, using informal English at the wrong time can be uncomfortable.<\/strong> At worst, using impolite English could impact your job or grades. So when you\u2019re learning English, it\u2019s important to learn that English has formal<\/a> and informal forms.<\/p>\n

Below, you\u2019ll learn when to use polite English to avoid uncomfortable situations and be more successful in academic and business settings.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

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Ways to Be Polite in English<\/h2>\n

Here are seven ways to use grammar<\/strong> to sound more polite and respectful when talking in English. These tips and tricks will allow you to survive in any English social situation.<\/p>\n

1. Use Questions Instead of Statements<\/h3>\n

Instead of telling people to help you with tasks, you can turn your statement into a question. You want to give the other person the chance to say no.<\/p>\n

Using questions<\/a> makes you sound nicer and more considerate<\/em> (thoughtful and nice). Even if you need something done right away, making it a question will make the other person more willing to help.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Finish the presentation.
\nSay<\/strong>: Can you finish the presentation?<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: I need help with this assignment.
\nSay<\/strong>: Will you help me with this assignment?<\/p>\n

2. Use Softer Language<\/h3>\n

You can come off as sounding impolite if you’re too direct. Instead, you can say things in a way that sounds more flexible. Do this by softening your language.<\/p>\n

People will usually understand what you mean even if you use vague<\/em> (unclear) terms. Here are some examples.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Meet me at twelve o\u2019clock.
\nSay<\/strong>: Meet me around<\/em> lunch time.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: It\u2019s cold, turn up the temperature.
\nSay<\/strong>: I\u2019m kind of<\/em> cold. Would you mind if I turn up the temperature just a little?<\/em><\/p>\n

3. Add Some Explanation<\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re communicating at work or school, it\u2019s often a good idea to include an explanation. If you\u2019re asking someone to do something for you or explaining a problem, people will feel better if they know why you\u2019re asking them for a favor.<\/p>\n

You can use English words and phrases like because<\/strong>, so<\/strong>, therefore<\/strong> or that’s why…<\/strong> to add your explanation.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Finish this presentation by tomorrow.
\nSay<\/strong>: The buyer is coming tomorrow, so <\/em>I’d like you to finish the presentation by then.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: I didn\u2019t want to go to your party.
\nSay<\/strong>: I didn’t want to go to your party because <\/em>I was really sick.<\/p>\n

4. Use Modal Verbs to Soften Requests<\/h3>\n

I already mentioned that using questions is more polite than using statements. Questions can be made even more polite with modal verbs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Modal verbs, such as would<\/strong>, could<\/strong>, will<\/strong>, can<\/strong>, should<\/strong>, must<\/strong>, might<\/strong> and shall<\/strong> are often used in formal speech. When in doubt, use a modal verb to make any question or statement sound more polite.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: I want the stapler.
\nSay<\/strong>: I would<\/em> like the stapler.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Let\u2019s get dinner.
\nSay<\/strong>: Shall<\/em> we get dinner?<\/p>\n

When you are making polite requests, you can also end your statement with “please.”<\/p>\n

I would like the stapler, please.<\/em><\/p>\n

5. Use the Passive Voice<\/h3>\n

When something goes wrong in a professional setting, you can use the passive voice. It is one way to avoid naming a subject.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is great for polite English because you can address an issue without putting the blame on anyone in particular. It’ll keep you from sounding mean.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Jonathan gave me the wrong information.
\nSay<\/strong>: I was given the wrong information.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Sally broke the printer, so we can\u2019t make copies.
\nSay<\/strong>: The printer was broken, so we can\u2019t make copies.<\/p>\n

6. Switch to the Past Tense<\/h3>\n

Another way to make your English more polite is to switch to past tense. When you’re using the verbs \u201cwant\u201d or \u201cneed,\u201d it’s more polite to use past tense than present tense.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Do you want coffee?
\nSay<\/strong>: Did you want any more coffee?<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: Do you need anything else?
\nSay<\/strong>: Did you need anything else?<\/p>\n

7. Use Common Polite Phrases<\/h3>\n

As you study English (and especially if you immerse yourself in English), you’ll learn more common phrases that people use to be polite.<\/p>\n

Here are a few phrases you might use in a formal environment. These are great for when problems arise and you need a tactful<\/em> (not rude) way to address the situation.<\/strong> These phrases are recognized as being polite while still getting the point across.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: I already told you this.
\nSay<\/strong>: As I mentioned previously…<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: This is wrong.
\nSay<\/strong>: This could use some improvement.<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: You must do this.
\nSay<\/strong>: Thanks in advance for your help!<\/p>\n

Instead of<\/strong>: I don’t want to do that.
\nSay<\/strong>: Thanks, but I’d rather not.<\/p>\n

Practical Ways to Learn Polite English<\/h2>\n

So, how exactly can you learn polite English? You might know some basics, like saying \u201cplease\u201d and \u201cthank you,\u201d but there\u2019s more to being polite than that.<\/p>\n

For example, if someone has a title, like Professor, Doctor, Mr., Ms. or Mrs.<\/a>, always use their title! In a workplace or when talking to someone of authority, you should never use their first name unless they ask you to.<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

You can also work on your polite English by watching movies<\/a> and TV shows <\/a><\/strong>that take place in an office or school setting. Some great examples to watch are:<\/p>\n