Examples from daily transactions
|
More Polite |
Less Polite |
1. Requesting |
- I wonder if I might use your pen.
- I wonder if you would lend me your pen.
- Can you bring me the file?
|
- Give me that/your pen.
- I want you to give me your pen.
- You must bring me that file.
|
2. Refusing |
- I'm sorry I can't attend the meeting because I'll be at the dentist.
- I would attend the meeting, but I have a dental appointment.
|
- No, I won't/can't attend the meeting.
|
3. Accepting an Apology |
- No problem.
- That's OK.
- I understand.
- Don't worry about it.
|
- Don't let it happen again.
- Don't ever do that again.
- If you do that again, I'll never forgive you.
|