英語中有許多客氣或委婉的說法。學英語時要特別小心，多多體會，才不會冒失，給人不好的印象。

下面(1)a-(5)a是不客氣的話語;(1)b-(5)b則變為委婉：

(1) 你要什么?

a. What do you want?

b. Can I help you? / Is there anything I can do for you?/ Can I be of any help to you?

(2) 我想問你一個問題。

a. I want to ask you a question.

b. I would like to ask you a ques-tion./ May I ask you a question?

(3) 你遇見我的朋友嗎?“Have you ever met my friend?”

a. No, I haven’t.

b. I don’t think I have./ I am afraid I have.

(4) 你想出去嗎?“Would you like to go out?”

a. No, I wouldn’t.

b. No, I don’t think I would./ I don’t think so.

(5) 你現在有空嗎?“Are you free now?”

a. No, I am not.

b. I am afraid I have an appoint-ment this afternoon.

除了上述這些較固定的委婉口語之外，還有其他表示委婉的方法，如(6)b到(13)b：

(一)多用疑問句，如：

(6) a. Shut the door, please.

b. Would you please shut the door?

(7) a. I suggest that you go?

b. May I suggest that you go?

(二)多用情態動詞(Modal verbs)，特別是過去式，如：

(8) a. I want a cup of tea.

b. I would like to have a cup of tea. / Could I have a cup of tea?

(9) a. I think you are making a mistake.

b. I should have thought you were making a mistake.

(三)用動詞的過去式，如：

(10) a. Do you want to see me?

b. Did you want to see me?

(11) a. I wonder if you will give me a hand?

b. I wondered if you would give me a hand?

(12) a. I will appreciate it if you can approve my application.

b. I would appreciate it if you could approve my application.

(13) a. I am wondering if you will give me some advice.

b. I was wondering if you would give me some advice.