Tag: 10 examples of polite expressions

Those crazy little words called prepositions – II

Where are you right now? During these lockdown days, most probably, you are in home. Correct? No. That sentence is grammatically incorrect. You are at home. Prepositions when it comes to spaces can get tricky. I know.

We use in when talking about a well-defined space. So, my guess is that you are reading this post in a room. When it comes to the preposition in you can say: in my building, there are thirty flats. If you are feeling hungry, there are muffins in the box.

So, here comes the question. Don’t mull over it. Go with your gut feeling. You have two options: a. The party is in the garden. b. The party is at the garden.

Did you say in the garden? Woohoo! That’s correct. A garden is a well-defined space and so we use in. If you got it wrong, no worries. Now you know.

When we talk about spaces that have a specific purpose, then things change. We usually use at. That’s why it is at home and not in home. The word home has specific emotions and meanings attached to it. It’s not a random place.

Now, picture this. You are flying to Colombo for a meeting. You call your friend and say, “Hey, I am at the airport. Do you want me to buy anything for you?” Note that you said at the airport, and not in the airport. So when it comes to airports, train stations, and other places with specific purposes, use at.

This is the really tricky part. Let’s look at another place: a hospital. If you are at the hospital visiting a relative who is a patient there, you say: I’m at the hospital. On the hand, if Rahul is a patient, you say: he is in hospital (UK English). In US English, it would be: he is in the hospital.

There is more I’d like to tell you about prepositions, but I want these above points to sink in, nice and slowly. So, I’ll end the post here.

If you would like to read my first post on prepositions, click here.

And here is a short video on common errors in the use of prepositions.

Still want more on prepositions? Visit British Council Learning English for prepositions of time and of place.

7 tips to soften your language

Abstract painting with muted, calming colors.

In informal language, especially with friends, you can say just about anything. And you don’t necessarily have to be polite.

This is not the case when using language at the workplace. Here the language needs to be controlled, structured, and polite.

Do you ask yourself these questions:

How can I soften my English?

How can I soften my words?

How can I be polite and soft spoken?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then you are in the right place.

Let’s look at seven words or phrases that can soften your language.

Tips to soften my English

1.Say thank you 

Use this phrase as often as possible. Don’t worry, the universe is not running out of thank you’s.

When you receive an email or WhatsApp message from a colleague, respond with:

Thanks, Janet!

Or, if it has to be more formal:

Thank you for sending the updated address.

If you are corresponding with someone outside your office, use ‘thank you’ as a form of acknowledgment.

Instead of writing:

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your application dated 12.02.25.

you could write:

Thank you for sending your application on 12.02.25.

Doesn’t that sound better? To me, it sounds friendly, clear, and professional.

2. Say please

Pulease… Is used by teenagers often. And they are right in using it.

Just like thank you, please should be used often. Use please with everyone: to your superiors as well as subordinates. Especially with those who report to you….

Compare these two lines:

Make sure the annual reports are printed by 2 pm.

Please make sure the annual reports are printed by 2 pm.

Do you see how the word please softens the sentence? It makes it sound less like a command. The person reading this message would respond positively to it.

3. Ask for permission using: can, could, and may 

The most informal way to ask for permission is can.

Can I use the conference room for twenty minutes?

At work, if you wish to be more formal, use could.

Could I use the conference room for twenty minutes?

If you are in a formal situation, go for: may.

May I use the conference room for twenty minutes?

4. Give permission using can or may  

When giving permission, say:

yes, you can

or

yes, you may.

May is more polite than can.

Don’t say: yes, you could. That may cause some confusion in the mind of the listener. Well, could I, or couldn’t I?

5. Use would 

Would is an excellent word to use to soften your language.

Would you agree?

That’s softer than: Do you agree?

Here are some expressions with would:

Would you mind if we start early tomorrow?

Would you like to read the summary first?

I would suggest we consider other options.

6. Know when to use shall  

This is a polite verb to use.

For example:

Shall we review the feedback?

Shall we start the meeting?

In fact, the term ‘shall we’ can be used at the start of almost any activity:

Shall we start the presentation? Shall we finalize the date? Shall we break for lunch? Shall we…

When starting an activity (meeting, presentation), it’s a good idea to use: we. It’s a nice way to make everyone feel included.

7. Use let’ s a lot 

In a more informal setting, say with colleagues you know well, you can use let’s instead of shall.

Let’s start the interview.

Let’s listen to Nalini’s update.

Let’s order a cake!

Instead of saying: Now, I would like to invite X to inaugurate the conference.

You could say: Now, let us invite X to inaugurate the conference. 

In the second sentence, we replaced the pronoun ‘I’ with ‘us’. 

That sounds softer. And more inclusive. 

I used ‘let us’ because it sounds more formal. In everyday interactions at work, use let’s.

Being polite is important.

It creates a positive atmosphere at work. It shows that you value your colleagues, clients, and vendors. 

When you are polite, you conduct yourself in a more professional manner. 

Could being polite become contagious? I certainly hope so.

For more on being polite, watch this BBC Learning English video.

Do you want to be more effective when intervening in meetings? Read this post on how to interrupt in a meeting.