Explanation of Polite Expression - English Language Grammar

Definition of Polite Expression

Relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture marked by refined cultural interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles letter showing or characterized by correct social usage marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy marked by a lack of roughness or crudities polite literature.

Kind of Polite Expression

There are many kind of polite expression that can used at moment to go of restaurant.

For example there are expressions of:

• Politeness: Showing respect.
• Politeness: making what we say less direct.
• Vague expressions.

But in this moment I will talk about this three kinds of expressions.

1: Politeness: showing respect

This expression are used when visiting  a restaurant elegant and we want show our value and respect to listener or reader.

For Example:

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr Patrick Murphy..

May I take your plate, sir?

Thank you for your wonderful gift.

Excuse me, I’m looking for Cathedral Street.

In formal contexts when we don’t know people and we want to show respect, we use titles such as Mr + family name, Ms + family name, sir, madam, doctor (Dr), professor (Prof.): 

A: Here’s your credit card, Mr Watts. Have a safe trip. 

B: Thank you. 

At a restaurant:

Shall I take your coat, Madam?

Politeness: making what we say less direct.

When we speak and write, we usually try not to be too direct. There are a number of ways in which we can do this. In the next box there are some comparisons of phrase that can use of ways more direct.

For Example:

Normal:

1. It’s kind of cold in here, isn’t it? Could we close the window?
2. Could you just turn the radio down a little, please?
3. Your playing could possibly be improved.
4. You may need to spend more time working a little bit on the rhythm.

More Direct:

1. It’s cold in here. Let’s close the window.
2. Turn down the radio. (The imperative is very direct when used in requests.)
3. You must improve your playing. You need to spend more time working on the rhythm.

Vague expressions (Modal Expression):

We can use certain modal verbs, especially the past forms of the modal verbs can, may, shall and will (could, might, should and would), to be more polite or less direct. We can also use other modal expressions (certainly, possibility, be likely to, be supposed to be). We often do this when we ask for something or ask someone to do something.

Might I ask if you are related to Mrs Bowdon? (rather formal and more polite/less direct than May I ask …?)

Would you follow me, please, sir? (more polite/less direct than Will you follow me …?)

Would you mind moving your car, please?

A:

Could you take a look at my laptop? It’s taking so long to start up.

B:

Well I’ll certainly take a look. Is there a possibility that it might have a virus?

A:

Well, the anti-virus is supposed to be up to date.

You are likely to feel stressed before your exam. (less direct than You will feel stressed before your exam.)

I hope it helps.