List of useful expressions for speaking polite English. Learn these common phrases to improve your English communication skills.
How to Be Polite in English
DON’T SAY: I want another hamburger.
SAY: I’d like another hamburger.
DON’T SAY: What?
SAY: Could you repeat that, please?
DON’T SAY: You’re wrong.
SAY: I think you might be mistaken.
DON’T SAY: Hey, where’s the bathroom?
SAY: Excuse me, could you tell me where the bathroom is?
DON’T SAY: Do this today.
SAY: It would be great if you could do this today.
DON’T SAY: Who are you?
SAY: May/ Could I ask/ have your name?
DON’T SAY: Can I borrow your pen?
SAY: Could I borrow your pen?
DON’T SAY: Can I say something?
SAY: Can I just say something here, please?
Phrases for Speaking Polite English – Picture 1
DON’T SAY: Can I smoke here?
SAY: Would you mind if I smoked here?
DON’T SAY: Can I try this on?
SAY: Would it be alright if I tried this shirt on?
DON’T SAY: Can I use your phone?
SAY: I wonder if I might use your phone.
DON’T SAY: Can you help me?
SAY: I was wondering if you could help me.
DON’T SAY: Can you open the door?
SAY: Would you mind opening the door?
DON’T SAY: Come here.
SAY: Could you come here?
DON’T SAY: Do you have a business card?
SAY: Do you mind if I take your business card?
DON’T SAY: Eat some of this food.
SAY: How about trying some of this food?
Phrases for Speaking Polite English – Picture 2
DON’T SAY: Give me your business card.
SAY: Do you mind if I take your business card?
DON’T SAY: Go away!
SAY: Can we talk a little later?
DON’T SAY: His performance was terrible.
SAY: His performance was not very good.
DON’T SAY: I don’t like it.
SAY: I don’t really like it, I’m afraid.
DON’T SAY: I don’t like the colors in this picture.
SAY: I’d prefer to use different colors in this picture.
DON’T SAY: I hate this song.
SAY: I’m not very fond of this song.
DON’T SAY: I need a pencil.
SAY: Would you lend me a pencil, please?
DON’T SAY: That’s a bad idea.
SAY: I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.
Phrases for Speaking Polite English – Picture 3
DON’T SAY: I want a coffee.
SAY: I’ll have a coffee, please.
DON’T SAY: It’s hot, open the window.
SAY: Do you mind if I open the window?
DON’T SAY: Leave me alone.
SAY: Sorry, I am a bit busy right now.
DON’T SAY: Move your car.
SAY: Would you mind moving your car, (please)?
DON’T SAY: No
SAY: No, thanks.
DON’T SAY: No
SAY: I’m afraid not.
DON’T SAY: Repeat that.
SAY: Could you repeat that, please?
DON’T SAY: Send me the picture.
SAY: Could you send me the picture?
Phrases for Speaking Polite English – Picture 4
DON’T SAY: Send me the report
SAY: Could you please send me the report?
DON’T SAY: Sit down, please!
SAY: Take/ have a seat, please.
DON’T SAY: Stop it!
SAY: Would you mind not smoking in this room, please?
DON’T SAY: Tell me when you’re available.
SAY: Let me know when you’re available.
DON’T SAY: That’s a bad idea.
SAY: I don’t think that’s such a good idea.
DON’T SAY: This report is awful.
SAY: This report is not really up to standard.
DON’T SAY: Turn the voice down.
SAY: Would you mind turning down the voice, please?
DON’T SAY: Wait!
SAY: Can you hold, please?
Phrases for Speaking Polite English – Picture 5
DON’T SAY: What time is it?
SAY: Excuse me, could you tell me the time, please?
DON’T SAY: Where is the toilet?
SAY: Excuse me, would you know where the bathroom is located?
DON’T SAY: Why is that?
SAY: Could you clarify a little bit, please?
DON’T SAY: Yes
SAY: Yes, please!
DON’T SAY: You didn’t explain this point.
SAY: I didn’t understand this point.
DON’T SAY: You don’t understand me.
SAY: Perhaps I’m not making myself clear.
DON’T SAY: You need to improve this skill.
SAY: You may need to improve this skill.
DON’T SAY: Your design isn’t good.
SAY: I’m not quite satisfied with this design.
Phrases for Speaking Polite English – Picture 6
Useful Phrases for Speaking Polite English | Video
https://www.youtube.com/embed/zoiSln5n4g0
Last Updated on January 17, 2020
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