When you are learning English, you must understand that English has informal and formal uses. Using the wrong English at the wrong time can lead to uncomfortable situations.

So, you must learn how to be polite in English and here are the top tips listed for it. 

Tips to be polite while conversing in English

Are you making others annoyed with your English? Well, it might not be your fault! You need to understand the trick to interact with people politely in English. When you are starting to learn English, your prime motive is to be understood. Thus, you must not sound unprofessional or rude.

Let’s evaluate the top tips to be polite while conversing in English. 

Use a question instead of a statement

Don’t make statements, instead allow people to present their opinion. For instance, instead of telling people to guide you with a task, just turn this statement into a question. Ensure that the other person has an equal chance of saying no to you. Asking questions helps you sound considerate and nicer.

Disagree politely

If you want to disagree with a statement, it's essential to be respectful of that person's viewpoint. Try to use these phrases that will soften your tone:

• “I respect your point, but…”
• “I see what you mean, but…”
• “You could be right, but don’t forget that..”

With these kinds of statements, you can express your opinion without offending others.

Making a request

When we are requesting in the English language, we usually use modal verbs such as should, would, might and could to sound more polite. This will help in checking your tone. For instance, "could you please open the door" sounds polite other than saying "open the door".

Greetings

When you are meeting someone, start with a greeting such as “good morning”, or “Have a nice day”. Also, saying “thank you” can show your politeness towards other people. If you enrol in a program to study English in Canada and work in the country, this basic English language training will be provided to you. You can use the following expressions considering the situation:

• “That’s very kind of you.”
• “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
• “Thanks a lot!”

All such phrases are likely to set a professional and formal tone.   

Avoid finger-pointing statements

When you are dealing with a difficult situation, using rude words can make things worse. To sound less aggressive and more diplomatic, emphasize “we” and “I” instead of “you”. For instance, you can say “My favourite teapot has been broken!” instead of stating “You broke my favourite teapot.”

Switch to past tense

Switching to the past tense can make your English more polite. For example, when you are using the verbs "need" or "want", it is favourable to use the past tense rather than the present tense. Instead of stating “Do you want tea/coffee?” say, “Did you want any more coffee?”

Final Thoughts

Learning English is easy if you follow the right path. You must ensure that you are not hurting anyone with your English. Hence, you must master how to be polite in English without offending anyone. Join an English course at Learning Languages Institute (LLI), Canada to get the top tricks to being polite while interacting in English. LLI has announced summer programs for international students in Canada. Register today to boost your English-speaking skills!