Questions tagged [politeness]
This tag is for questions regarding the polite use of words or phrases.
346
questions
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
Does this sound rude? How could I have said it better?
Me: Good afternoon, ma'am Josie. Just letting you know I'm ready for the
interview. Could you please let me know if it will still happen this
afternoon? Thank you.
Josie: Hello. You were scheduled for ...
- 13
3
votes
3
answers
65
views
What is a standard polite answer to a stranger to ask about the purpose of their approaching me?
When a stranger approaches me with a generic salutation without a specific request -- e.g., "Hi!", how should I politely inquire about their purpose or matter/ topic of addressing me ?
...
3
votes
1
answer
63
views
Is the word 'watchdog' derogatory or disapproving?
In Cambridge Dictionary, The Free Dictionary, Merriam Webster, dictionary.com and The Britannica Dictionary, none say that 'watchdog', under the definition quoted below, is derogatory or disapproving.
...
- 3,294
2
votes
4
answers
124
views
Could 'the' suggest a patronizing tone? [closed]
In this blog, the writer says as follows.
Example 3.
a. ✓ Asians usually have dark hair.
b. ☓ The Asian usually has dark hair.
You should never use this construction to talk about groups of people, ...
- 3,294
1
vote
1
answer
58
views
Does 'I think' make a statement more euphemistic?
Does adding 'I think' before a statement about others' behaviours, opinions, characters or the like make it more euphemistic? Say, compare
1'. You're wrong.
1''. I think you're wrong.
2'. You're a ...
- 3,294
1
vote
2
answers
62
views
I would appreciate it if you would do/did
Which of the following sentence sounds more correct/formal?
I would appreciate it if you would…
I would appreciate it if you did…
As for the first sentence, I know it is unusual to put would after ...
- 166
0
votes
1
answer
51
views
"You have backups, right?" Does this sound sardonic / sarcastic?
Does "You have backups, right?" sound sardonic / sarcastic?
Context: a user finds out that his database is corrupt in a public discussion on a community forum. I suggest that the best ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
"Would you be kind enough to answer me?" Or: "Could you kindly answer me?"
Do these two sentences have the same meaning? Which of these phrases sounds more natural?
Would you be kind enough to answer me?
Or:
Could you kindly answer me?
- 49
0
votes
3
answers
76
views
Is the adjective 'cocky' a discrimination word?
When used as a noun, 'cocky' can mean 'a farmer whose farm is regarded as small or of little account'. Therefore, I suspect that the meaning of 'cocky' as an adjective stems from people's stereotype ...
- 3,294
1
vote
2
answers
103
views
Would dream of ( in a positive clause)
But you are very welcome for my having given you my time, not that you would ever dream of taking the trouble to say "thank you" after I have gone the trouble of helping you and correcting ...
- 839
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
What are some polite responses to someone introducing themselves over the phone?
If a person comes up to you physically and then introduces themselves, your generic reply is going to be "Nice to meet you". It's not going to work in remote communications because you don't ...
- 3,476
0
votes
2
answers
67
views
Polite way to convey something instead of using YOU
Last time you took 80% share, so I think at least 70% should be mine this time.
Is there a more polite way to say this? I feel the use of the word you sounds like I am blaming someone. Not sure if ...
- 29
0
votes
1
answer
50
views
Is it rude to ask “do you want one” to an adult?
Is it rude to ask “do you want one” if you’re trying to ask if an adult also wants something? (ex: food) I’m worried if this would sound rude or disrespectful.
0
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Could we use "thank you too" instead of saying "you're welcome"?
Could we use "thank you too" for the response to someone has thanked us?
Is it grammatically correct to use that?
4
votes
3
answers
290
views
Polite alternatives to "That's none of your business"
I'm looking for a more polite alternative to "That's none of your business".
Would "That doesn't concern you." and "That's none of your concern." be more polite? Would ...
- 1,107
2
votes
1
answer
274
views
How polite is "Perhaps[Maybe] you could" when you ask for request?
When is it possible to say for instance:
Perhaps you could help me with that.
I would really appreciate it if you could compare this one with:
Would you please help me with that?
Can you please ...
- 557
0
votes
1
answer
785
views
Should I use "inside the drawer" or "in the drawer" when I am talking about a small object?
When I was taking my English classes I came across a doubt: What's the proper way to say: I forgot my book in the drawer or inside the drawer?
Isabela Melo
0
votes
0
answers
117
views
The use of "please" in instructions
I'm translating instructions for my company's employees on how to enter data into a database. Most of the instructions are phrased as statements rather than imperatives (e.g. "In this field XX ...
- 341
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
Is it offensive to say "utilize workers"?
Is it offensive to say "utilize someone"?
Automated factories perform better than those that utilize human
workers.
If it is, could you please give me a polite and positive alternative?
- 1,896
23
votes
7
answers
30k
views
What to answer to "you're too kind"?
I told a guy I knew that he looks good in a pink shirt. He told me: "Thank you, you're too kind". What is the appropriate English answer in this case?
Also I'm not sure if the guy's answer ...
- 231
1
vote
1
answer
882
views
Is it OK to say "Thanks all the same" in this scenario?
Someone sent a message to me unexpectedly and I replied with a question mark, then he told me that he just made a mistake by selecting the wrong recipient. I read the message and found that it is very ...
- 2,951
1
vote
1
answer
79
views
I will be/am interested to see
I will be interested to see whether there’s a white Christmas in London tomorrow.
I am interested to see whether there’s a white Christmas in London tomorrow.
What is the difference between (1) and (...
- 712
2
votes
2
answers
160
views
How to politely end a phone call? [closed]
Sometimes when someone calls you، you need to end the call because there are no further things to talk about. As you have not initiated the call you expect the other party to end it. But sometimes ...
- 2,063
0
votes
2
answers
746
views
Alternative to "Could you please"?
I have been using the following phrase when requesting information through email.
Could you please ...?
For example, "could you please send me the required documents?".
As English is not ...
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
182
views
Does writing 'DO' let me know or 'DO' confirm sound rude?
I wrote to a colleague and wanted the respondent to reconfirm back a detail. My sentence goes.
Do confirm back if the sample used is from ___.
Does writing 'DO' sounds rude. Does it sound like I am ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
587
views
In the US, on what occasion do you say "sir" when your listener is obviously younger than you?
I'm Asian who learned English at school. Our teachers taught us in class to add "sir" to be polite when talking to men. I'd assumed that you say so only when your listener is older than you. ...
- 65
1
vote
1
answer
490
views
What's the correct form of this question?
I would like to know, what's the respectful format of this question: ( Business context )
Can we have a call?
Could we have a call?
Can I call you?
Can I meet with you?
Could I meet with you?
1
vote
1
answer
35
views
"as claimed by" is it appropriate to be used?
I am doing a literature review on cocoa demand and supply. The norm is cocoa demand is going up slightly. However, I was reading an article stating:
Demand for cocoa is predicted to rise by 30% by ...
0
votes
1
answer
567
views
Can you call me after sometime? [closed]
I want to know which question is correct and polite with an interviewer:
Would you please call me after sometimes?
Or
Can you please call me after somtime?
1
vote
1
answer
39
views
How to ask for a clarification for some word
For example, someone said:
The dm said its our call
I'm new to D&D, so I don't understand what does it mean by "our call". How do you ask for that? I tried:
What do you mean by "...
- 365
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Social question for using titles before name
I'd like to ask about English culture.
IF an (elementary) teacher address a parent without using Mr. Or Ms., but with first and last name only on their first email , what does it mean?
Isn't this ...
- 2,320
3
votes
2
answers
774
views
Does it sound rude to say "you'd better..."?
When I want to make some suggestions to others, does it sound rude to say "you'd better..."? I feel like it contains the implications that I am bossing people around.
If so, what are some ...
1
vote
1
answer
739
views
Is it proper to say “welcome back” to my colleague
I want to say "Welcome back" to my team mate who is at the same level in the organisation, when he came back to work after the new year holiday. But it sounds like a message sent from a boss ...
- 127
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What should I say in response to "I hope next year is better"?
How should I reply to this statement without using a bland "me too"? I want the conversation to keep going past this, but I'm not sure how to respond well.
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
146
views
How do I ask someone his/her position in his family(among his siblings)? [duplicate]
I want to learn a person's order/position in his family i.e., among his siblings. So can I say:
"Where do you rank among your siblings?"
Is this usage correct? If not, can anyone provide ...
- 49
1
vote
1
answer
18k
views
Asking politely for a meeting
I would like to politely ask my professor to meet me sometime soon. Could someone please let me know (1) whether my sentences are grammatically correct and also not weird to the ears of a native ...
- 135
0
votes
1
answer
215
views
"Can you do this" or "Can you please do this" or "Could you please do this"?
Which is the correct response to someone if they want you to do this?
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
73
views
Would it be considered controversial to describe a character in my script as "black"? [closed]
Don't know if this is the wrong forum for this. I'm writing a script and I have described a character in it as "a tall black dude". Would that be considered controversial in the US?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
Who is being pleased, and why?
This is more of a curiosity than a full problem, but I was wondering who is being pleased, in common phrases using the term.
(At breakfast)
“May I have some jam, please?”
In this case the jam-...
- 89
0
votes
2
answers
5k
views
politely ask someone not to do something
I want to very politely ask someone (my professor) not to do something anymore, and I've been searching about how I should do it for more than 2 two hours, yet I could not find any useful answer.
To ...
- 135
2
votes
2
answers
3k
views
”Need to” and ”Would need to”
What is the difference between the following sentences?
(1) You/I need to do it
(2) You/I would need to do it
Do we use the second one for distancing from reality and being more polite?
- 135
0
votes
2
answers
66
views
Tell me as a response
if someone ask your opinion just with your name, is it rude to answer “tell me”?
For example, during a meeting, your boss exposes an idea and just say, Mely?is it rude just answering tell me
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
660
views
It's the least I could do/have done
Is
It's the least I could do.
or
It's the least I could have done.
better in response to "Thank you"?
I have seen people using "it's the least I could do" but personally, I ...
Ishmeet Kaur
0
votes
0
answers
49
views
Polite way to ask salary
I'd like to know what is the most polite way to ask a university director/coordinator in a email how much is the stipend/salary of a graduate program.
Thank you very much!
- 41
0
votes
1
answer
406
views
What does "if you have anything else to say" mean?
if you have anything else to say
What does it mean? Is it offensive or respectful to use it?
- 115
0
votes
2
answers
56
views
Dealing with unknown rude passenger
If in a train or bus some unknown elderly but rude passenger particularly a man, an old man, sitting on a seat which was already reserved by me, how to ask him to get up from there(the seat),
Is "...
17
votes
9
answers
13k
views
Is it OK to respond to "thanks" with "sure"?
When someone says
..., thanks.
Is it appropriate to respond with
sure
If so, in which situations it would be OK, and what exactly would it imply?
- 553
15
votes
4
answers
5k
views
"Keep my mouth shut"....is it rude to say?
Today I had a lot of fun with a group of mums and kids in a muddy obstacle race. I fell into the muddy pool while my mouth was opened and drank some muddy water by accident. Then I said to the other ...
- 151
1
vote
2
answers
188
views
would: polite request
I'm learning modal verbs, would!
I'll try for understanding how can 'would' be used for polite requests by approaching with a methodology.
The methodology is that we think 'would' is the past version ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
87
views
Is it polite to word requests in a form "can I get X"?
For context, I have recently started a new job, it's a startup in the UK and most employees come from an academic background. I have lived in the UK for 4 years but didn't study here, and English is ...
Hot Network Questions
- Canonical version of Metamorphoses
- How should I read the timing on this measure of Rachmaninoff 32 10?
- Are there secular philosophers who argue for predetermined and given meaning/value in life and essentialism?
- Is it reasonable to expect a 500 g (1.1 lbs) inflatable sleeping mat to last?
- Wago (221 or 222) vs Lever Nuts (generic/various Chinese brands)
- How can I finish the frame of a hidden door without using trim?
- Mathematical definition of states in Quantum Theory
- Regretting an identity: Is there a way to force inserts to specify the identity column?
- Why are developers expected to estimate tasks at all?
- What are the most precise measurements in science?
- Size of instanced objects based on subdivision levels
- How can I ensure anonymity with queries to small datasets?
- How do you fix the wrong-case-sensitivity dictionary setting bug-pattern?
- Prioritise label by field containing data importance in the data QGIS
- Why is it generally important to be consistent with the tone and style of writing?
- Coworker posted private chat message in a public group
- Word for a choice that is not really a choice
- Providing 95% confidence intervals for VTT calculation using logistic regression coefficients
- Is it possible to write a character that remains mysterious until the very end without sacrificing character development?
- Can you use 'amok' without 'run'? How?
- Should the y-axis on a survival plot go from 0 to 100 even if the lines are all above 0.9?
- Is there a term that describes reducing a person's identity to certain characteristics?
- Sensational Riddle!
- Can I dilute 2-stroke gas and run it in my riding mower to get rid of it?