Being indirect and polite The short phrases in the table below use standard/neutral language. Complete the table with the polite/diplomatic phrases from the box. | Coel-rurpenibly Do you need any help with Is tall right if1_I was wondering if you could | Lwonder if I could Perhaps we should Why don't we Would you like me to Requests (asking somebody else) Can/Could you ... 7 1... Could. you. possibly... | ! Permission (for yourself) CanjCould I... ? 2 I. 2 Offering help Can Y/Shall f...? 3 oe I 2 Suggestions What about (+ -ing)/Shall we ...? 4 I. 2 Here are more ways to make your language polite/diplomatic. Complete the words in each sentence with the missing letters. There will be a delay. 2 1 Pmafraid there willbeasm .__ delay. There isa problem, 2 2 Iese__. wehaveasl..._ problem. | disagree. © 3 [th___ there m__ bean issue here. We can’ do that. % 4 Tobeho____, 'mnots .__ we can do that. Thar gives us very little time. — § Act____, thatdoes ’_ give us m___ time. Iewill be better to ask Heidi, © = & Wou,. .’_ it be better to ask Heidi? That will be very expensive. 7 Thatmi___ be qu. __ expensive. That will be very expensive 8 That won’ _ bech___. Rewrite each sentence with the words in brackets to make them more polite and diplomatic. Can we meet again next week? (wonder/could) You've made a mistake on the invoice. (there/seems) ‘The quality is low. (not very) ‘Shall | speak to Mr Baker? (would you like) Your estimate for the cast is too low. (might/a bit) We should wait, (wouldn’ybetter idea) Ie’s a bad idea. (honest/I'm not sure/good) Let's cancel the project. (perhaps/should think about) wr AueuneRead the situation. Then complete the words in each reply with the missing letters. Somebody sends you an email: I've jas had agreat idea! We could havea team meeting every Monday morning at Bam co plan the week's work. You want to disagree: 1 Irsouads.. like a good idea, but Pm not sure it would work in pra, 2 Tea see what you're Ss UE Wn. the trafic on Monday momnings? 3 Wo, vom SOME people find chat a li, early? 4 Tobe bonny Pim NOt Sao. that Would be cont... for everybody. 3 Tknow what you m...., but I can see one or two problems with that. 6 les. good idea, bur d....... you think 9am wo,...... be b.......? Look back at sentences (1-6) and find: a) four examples of Yes, but Fos bool 6) anormal question to show doubt _ ©) two negative questions to show doubt... / 4) an introductory phrase to prepare che reader for disagreement Make the emails below more polite or diplomatic by changing the words in italics. Use techniques from sections A-C. ||| itis @very expensive, Fusnt ita better idea to contact some other printing firms and get some altemative || quotes? ter al we have been very unhappy with the ‘ualty oftheir work on the last few jobs. What do ‘you think? ||| is, tans for your emai about ihe new brochure ad the atached file with the quote from the printers. _[ 1 ft.seems./1 think. it's 3 2 4 Gar havea word wth Sandra in Hunan Resource abou when the poston of Sales Director's going obo _| | advertised, t's delicate for me, as I'm ‘Sure you understand, because there is a chance “i will be one of | Frank - sony we didnt heve a chance to tak yesterday. Actually | have e favourto ask. ® wonderityou | | i the candidates, Thanks. ] id 5 7 6 8 | Steven, thanks for sencing the suggestions on how to pice cur new range of accessories. */ dont aoe | ;| ih you. Th prices you suggest are too high forthe market. Dont you think a ower price yl vesuk ql ||| in higher sales and therefore higher profits? Let me know what you think | 9 ul 10 2 DCRR AE IRE coreg mee pia Nita n.