MAKING POLITE EXP

RESSIONS

WHY POLITE EXPRESSIONS?

To be respectful of elders, higher officials, a
nd the like (Excuse me, sir. Would you mind
to tell me where I can meet Mr. Anand?)
knowingly or unknowingly not to hurt others
by impolite or improper words ( "help me" in
stead of "could you please help me?)
To maintain refined social etiquette (manner
s)
To promote smooth and friendly conversatio
n with others. (I'm sorry Mr. Suresh. You migh
t have informed this two days before)

1. HOW TO GREET SOMEONE?

Formal (While meeting)

Good morning/afternoon/evening sir/madam
( response) Good morning...
How do you do sir? /Nice to meet you madam.
( Response) Getting on well.And how are you do
ing /Thank you. Nice to meet you too.
Formal (While leaving)
Thank you sir/ madam
Goodbye, Preethi. /Take care /Welcome/ See y
ou later /tomorrow/Call me again. / Not at all
. It was nice to meet you sir./madam.

CONTINUED......

Informal (While meeting)

Hi Angeline, how are you? Fine. Antony. And
you?
Hello Kavi. How is it going? / what's up? /wha
t's new with you?
Hi karthika. It's going well. What about you?
/ nothing/Not much /same as usual.
Informal (While leaving)
Bye Uma .
Bye. bye/ See you.

2. GREETINGS ON SPECIAL OCCA

SIONS

(Good news from someone/ on somebodys achievements /

success)
Congratulations. / Well done. / Congratulations on your success.
During birthday
Happy birthday! Wish you a many many happy returns of the day.
/ May God bless you with all prosperities.
During Marriage / wedding anniversary
Wish you a happy married life! Happy anniversary!
During festival / celebrations
(Wish you a) Happy Pongal / Diwali /Christmas, Happy new year,
etc.
Before new initiative / interview / exam
Wish you all the best! / Good luck
Before journey
Wish you a happy journey!

A VIDEO ON GREETINGS

3. CONGRATULATING SOMEONE

Sir I have won the first prize in intercollegiat

e chess competition.
That's great! I'm proud of you, Sophie. Congr
atulations.
Just now I heard, you have your marriage nex
t week. Congratulations.
I'm pleased to invite you to our house warmi
ng ceremony. Congrats. You have made a big
move. What about treat?

4. COMPLIMENTING /ENCOURAG
ING SOMEONE

You look really smart in this dress

That's a great idea!
It's amazing. Spectacular performance.
That's a nice try. Go ahead.
Well done. Neya.
It's a fine weather, isn't it?
It's a nice move, Isn't it?
Great! You made the difference.
You are on the right track.move ahead.
Keep it up!

5. OFFERING HELP

May I help you?

If you like, you can have my book /newspaper.
Good morning sir. What can I do for you?
Would you like to have my pen?
Accepting offer: Thank you.
You are so kind enough to me.
Oh, yes, please.
If it's no trouble for you.
Declining an offer: No, thanks.
No, I can manage / I have mine. thank you.

6. MAKING REQUESTS

(Order of politeness from the least to the highest: will, can, could, ma
y, would you mind)
Will you bring that book tomorrow? (Friends, juniors, informal)
Can you help me to lift this parcel, please? / Can you do a favour for
me? Please bring that book tomorrow.
Can I use your mobile, please?
Response: With pleasure./ It's my pleasure.
Could you give me your pen for a moment please? /May I use your pen?
Response: Certainly. Here you are. / Yes, of course./ By all means / I
would be glad to. / sure
(Negative): I'm really sorry but I haven't yet filled the form./ I would li
ke to help but I have to pick up my mother from station.
Would you mind opening the window, please? Not at all. please go ahe
ad.
Sorry to bother you sir. Could you send someone to collect the money?

7.EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

Thank you. /Thank you very much. /Thanks /

Thanks a lot.
I express my sincere thanks/ gratitude to Mr.
Mohan. (On the stage or in writing, very form
al)
Responses:
Welcome / you are most welcome.
No mention please.
It's my pleasure.

8. HOW TO APOLOGIZE?
Sorry / I am sorry madam.
I'm very sorry (for coming late).
I'm sorry, that's entirely my fault.
I'm extremely sorry for not attending your marri
age function.
Please forgive me for my words the other day.
Excuse me / Sorry to bother you madam(while
causing inconvenience to others)
Accepting Apologies:
Thats all right / Its ok. Leave it.
Lets forget it. / It doesnt matter at all.

9. MAKING COMPLAINTS POLITE

LY

Im sorry to say this but you seem to make m

any grammatical mistakes in your writing.
Im not quite sure how to put this, but this is
something about your son.
Well, Im afraid, I have something to say agai
nst your friend Mr. Karthick.
I wish you wouldnt mind to hear from me ag
ainst your father.
You might have asked me before doing this,
why dont you, sir?

10. ASKING FOR INFORMATION

Can you tell me where the purchase files are

kept?
Excuse me. Could you please tell me which
time the Mumbai Express arrives?
Do you have any idea about opening the sha
re account?
Do you know where they are waiting for us?

11. ASKING FOR / GIVING OPINI

ONS
What do you think about Mr. Ganesh?
Have you got any comments on Rajinis recent
movie?
How would you react to current political scenar
io in Tamil Nadu?
Whats your opinion about the demonetization?
Offering Opinions:
In my point of view, its wrong.
As far as Im concerned, it makes no difference.
Im of the opinion that both should be punished.
To be honest/frank, he has no right to claim this.

12. ASKING SOMEONE TO REPEA

T
Im sorry, I couldnt hear that/ What did yo
u say?
Pardon sir/madam.
Could you please repeat the last word?
Im sorry. Would you mind saying that again?
Repeating
Im just saying, he is upstairs.
I said, Veena is not here.
What I said was, procrastination

13. EXPRESSING SYMPATHY

Whats wrong with you? What happened to yo

u?
You look upset. Has anything gone wrong?
I know how you feel. But please dont lose ho
pe.
How unfortunate! Is he in hospital?
Oh, no! I hope, its nothing serious.
Im sure, you will succeed next time. Dont
worry.
Oh my God!

14. MAKING SUGGESTIONS

Let's go to canteen?
I think, gold ring is expensive. Why dont we gift
a watch?
Shall we go to movie now?
You may like to know that Priya will do it.
Sunil is out of stations now. How about Venkat?
Anyone can do it. Why not our friend Mr. Rajesh?
Would you like coffee or tea?
What about staying in his house?
That sounds a nice idea. Why cant we try it?

15. SEEKING /GIVING PERMISSIO

N

(Arranged in the increasing order of politeness

and formality)
Can I leave early?
Could I turn on the fan now?
May I ask you a question sir?
Would you mind if I leave early?
Responses: Sure. You can. / Not at all / No pro
blem, you may go.
No, you may not. You need to be here. We hav
e an urgent meeting.

16. EXPRESSING LIKES AND PRE

FERENCES

I would like to sit under the fan / By the win

dow.
I would love to watch Neeya Naana.
I would take a taxi rather than a bus.
I prefer to walk. What about you?
I feel like a movie / I don't feel like a shoppin
g.
I wouldn't mind another piece of cake.

17. EXPRESSING POSSIBILITY

It may rain today. / He may get distinction t

his time. (Likely to happen)
It might rain. He might come today. (Very un
likely)
I'm afraid, he may not be at home now.
You could have scored more. What happened
to you? ( Pointing out possibility in the past)
I'd be surprised, if he joins with us.

18. WARNING POLITELY

Mind your purse. Pickpockets are elsewhere.

I wouldn't do that if I were you.
It doesn't sound a good idea to me.
I think, you must be out of your mind. Why do you ta
ke risk?
You had better not go this way.
(Only to the juniors or very close friends)
Mind your business.
Are you mad to do this.
It's none of your business. / Be careful.
Mind your words.

19. INVITING SOMEONE

We are planning to go to Agra? Why don't you join wit
h us?
How about joining us on Sunday for shopping?
I would be pleased if you could attend my marriage ne
xt week.
Wed like to invite you to our farewell party, sir.
Responses:
With pleasure/Its my pleasure./ That sounds a nice id
ea. Let me join with you./ what a splendid idea! I wo
n't say no.
I'm terribly sorry. I don't think I can.
That's very kind of you, but...I have an urgent work.
I would love to but Im afraid, I can't.

20. WELCOMING VISITORS/GUES

TS/RELATIVES

Please, come in, sir. Its really nice to see yo

u.
Hi, Reshma, What a surprise! Come on in. You
look so smart now.
Lets all raise a hearty welcome, big and war
m enough to honour our chief guest
Its my pleasure to extend a cheerful welcom
e to you all.
On behalf of my colleagues, I wish you all a
warm welcome. We are so delighted to have
you with us today.