Speaking with Politeness and Elegance
We all aspire to speak English with the elegance of a true Sir or Lady, capturing attention and leaving a positive impression on others. Whether it’s for impressing examiners during speaking tests or for personal growth, having refined language skills is a common goal. Below, we’ve prepared a guide on how to enhance your speaking abilities with a few key phrases and words, showcasing your proficiency in English to everyone.
Disagreeing Politely:
Instead of directly stating “I disagree,” consider using these polite expressions:
Yes, but…
I see what you mean, but…
I agree up to a point, but…
For example:
-I think we should wait until a better opportunity comes along.
-Yes, but we might not get another opportunity like this for a while.
-I think we should ask for a 20% discount because it will show them that we are serious.
-I see what you mean, but I think 20% might be a bit too much. It might put them off.
When it comes to interpersonal relationships, it’s often more appropriate to convey your thoughts indirectly instead of using negative language. Many of you are probably already mindful of this in your native language, and the same applies to English. So, how can you achieve this in English?
Instead of expressing negativity outright, consider utilizing more subtle ways to communicate your point:
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” instead of “I think that’s a bad idea.”
“Can I just say something here?” to express your desire to share your perspective.
“Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that” when you didn’t understand something.
For example:
-Let’s go for a good cop, bad cop approach in this negotiation!
-I don’t think that’s such a good idea. They might see through it.
Sorry!
Sorry, but can I just say something here
Sorry, but I don’t really agree
Sorry, but I think that’s out of the question
Rather than saying “I don’t like it”, you can say “I don’t really like it I’m afraid”.
Can I say something? (-)
Can I just say something here? (+)
I didn’t catch that (-)
Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that (+)
In order to maintain positive interpersonal relationships, it’s beneficial to construct sentences that focus on “I” and “We” rather than directly addressing the other person using “you.” This approach allows you to express your thoughts without directly pointing to the other person, enhancing the positivity in your relationships.
For example:
Say: “Perhaps I’m not making myself clear” instead of “You don’t understand me.”
Say: “I didn’t understand this point” instead of “You didn’t explain this point.”
Say: “We’re looking for a better price” instead of “You need to give us a better price.”