Dear readers, here are some common polite phrases in the English language, which make you more polite when speaking, and can be used in business English and slang.
The English language is full of little niceties and formalities, and ignoring them can make you come across as rude or unprofessional.
If you have a slight accent or it's clear English is not your first language, English speakers will hopefully realize any impoliteness is not intentional, but it's always best to focus on learning the correct customs.
Common polite phrases in English
Here are more than 60 Common Polite Phrases in English with correct and incorrect sentences:
- I would like a hamburger. ✔
- I want a hamburger. ✖
- Could you send me the report? ✔
- Send me the report. ✖
- The printer was broken, so we can't make copies. ✔
- Sally broke the printer, so we can't make copies. ✖
- Did you want any more coffee? ✔
- Do you want coffee? ✖
- Did you need anything else? ✔
- Do you need anything else? ✖
- Could you give me a minute? ✔
- Leave me alone. ✖
- Let me know when you are available. ✔
- Tell me when you are available. ✖
- I think you might be mistaken. ✔
- You are wrong. ✖
- I'm not sure that's a good idea. ✔
- That is bad idea. ✖
- Can you finish the presentation? ✔
- Finish the presentation. ✖
- I'm not quite satisfied with this work. ✔
- Your work is not good. ✖
- I'm not too fond of the colors in this design. ✔
- I don't like the colors in this design. ✖
- Do you mind if I take your business card? ✔
- Give me your business card. ✖
- Can we talk a little later? ✔
- Go away! ✖
- His performance was not very good. ✔
- His performance was terrible. ✖
- I don't really like it, I'm afraid. ✔
- I don't like it. ✖
- I'd prefer to use different colors in this picture. ✔
- I don't like the colors in this picture. ✖
- I'm not very fond of this song. ✔
- I hate this song. ✖
- As I mentioned previously… ✔
- I already told you this. ✖
- This could use some improvement. ✔
- This is wrong. ✖
- Thanks in advance for your help! ✔
- You must do this. ✖
- Thanks, but I'd rather not. ✔
- I don't want to do that. ✖
- Would you lend me a pencil, please. ✔
- I need a pencil. ✖
- I'm not so sure that's a good idea. ✔
- That's a bad idea. ✖
- I would like another hamburger. ✔
- I want another hamburger. ✖
- Could you repeat that, please. ✔
- What? ✖
- I think you might be mistaken. ✔
- You are wrong. ✖
- Excuse me, could you tell me where the bathroom. ✔
- Hey, where's the bathroom? ✖
- It would be great if you could do this today. ✔
- Do this today. ✖
- Could I borrow your pen?. ✔
- Can I borrow your pen? ✖
- Would you mind if I smoked here. ✔
- Can I smoke here? ✖
- Would it be alright if I tried this shirt. ✔
- Can I try this on? ✖
- Would you mind opening the door. ✔
- Can you open the door? ✖
- I was wondering if you could help me. ✔
- Can you help me? ✖
- Could you come here? ✔
- Come here. ✖
- How about trying some of this food. ✔
- Eat some of this food. ✖
- May/could I ask/ have your name? ✔
- Who are you? ✖
- I wonder if I mind use your phone. ✔
- Can I use your phone? ✖
- Do you mind if I take your business card? ✔
- Do you have a business card? ✖
- Could you send me the report? ✔
- Send me the report. ✖
- Take/have a seat, please. ✔
- Sit down, please! ✖
- Let me know when you are available. ✔
- Tell me when you're available. ✖
- I don't think that’s such a good idea. ✔
- That is a bad idea. ✖
- This report is not really up to standard. ✔
- This report is awful. ✖
- Would you mind turning down the voice, please? ✔
- Turn the voice down. ✖
- I'll have a coffee, please. ✔
- I want a coffee. ✖
- Do you mind if I open the window? ✔
- It's hot, open the window. ✖
- Sorry, I'm a bit busy right now. ✔
- Leave me alone. ✖
- Would you mind moving your car, (please)? ✔
- Move your car. ✖
- No, thanks. ✔
- No. ✖
- I'm afraid not. ✔
- No. ✖
- Could you repeat that, please? ✔
- Repeat that. ✖
- Perhaps I am not making myself clear. ✔
- You're not understanding me. ✖
- My favourite mug has been broken! ✔
- You broke my favourite mug! ✖
- It was agreed that you'd complete the task today. ✔
- You said you were going to complete the task today. ✖
- Would you mind…? ✔
- Stop it! ✖
- Excuse me. ✔
- Move. ✖
- Could you give me five minutes? ✔
- Go away. ✖
- Will you help me with this assignment? ✔
- I need help with this assignment. ✖
- Meet me around lunch time. ✔
- Meet me at twelve o'clock. ✖
- I'm kind of cold. Would you mind if I turn up the temperature just a little? ✔
- It's cold, turn up the temperature ✖
- The buyer is coming tomorrow, so I'd like you to finish the presentation by then. ✔
- Finish this presentation by tomorrow. ✖
- I didn't want to go to your party because I was really sick. ✔
- I didn't want to go to your party. ✖
- I would like the stapler. ✔
- I want the stapler. ✖
- Shall we get dinner? ✔
- Let's get dinner. ✖
- I was given the wrong information. ✔
- Jonathan gave me the wrong information. ✖
When you’re learning English, it's important to also learn that English has formal and informal uses. Learn when to use polite English to avoid uncomfortable situations and you'll be more successful in academic and business settings.
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