Practice
Make the following more polite and indirect:
There is a problem.
___________________________________________________________________________
I completely disagree with your proposal.
________________________________________________________________________
We can’t do that in three days.
________________________________________________________________________
We need more time.
________________________________________________________________________
It will be better to ask Brad.
________________________________________________________________________
Can you give me a ride home?
________________________________________________________________________
You made a mistake on the invoice.
________________________________________________________________________
That’s more than we are willing to pay.
________________________________________________________________________
Can I have Friday off?
________________________________________________________________________
We should wait. Now isn’t the right time.
________________________________________________________________________
Let’s cancel the project.
________________________________________________________________________
It’s a bad idea.
________________________________________________________________________
Did you finish the report yet?
________________________________________________________________________
Writing Practice
Write emails for the situations below. Be polite and indirect. Use the language in the chart above (modals, distancing phrases, tentative language, introductory phrases, positive language).
1. You have some suggestions about how to get more business. You want to meet with one of the managers and talk about this business opportunity. Write a polite email requesting a 30-minute meeting.
2. You have some personal issues you need to take care of on Tuesday morning. You’d like to take Tuesday morning off and make up the time later in the week. Write a polite email to your supervisor explaining the situation. Ask for permission to take the time off and make it up later in the week.
3. Your own situation: Are there any situations you regularly deal with that require polite, indirect emails? Think of a situation and write a polite email.
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