Forms of politeness

II. How to Address people:

1. If I don’t know the name/surname:

- sir (for a man)

- madam (for a woman)

2. if I know the surname:

3. Mister (Mr.) (for a man)

4. Missis (Mrs.) (for a married woman) (a widow)

5. Miss (for a single woman)

6. Ms (for a woman if we do not know her title Miss or Missis)

then comes the surname.

For example: Mr. Parker

Mrs. Brown

Ms. Smith

3. a group of people

- Ladies (for women)

- Gentlemen (for men)

- Ladies and Gentlemen (for both)

- Lady and Gentlemen (if one woman and some men)

- Ladies and Gentleman (if some women and one man)

4. a stranger (there is no special form) but “Excuse me, please” is good for that.

5. a saleslady/salesman (there is no special form).

6. if I know the person well

I can call him/her by the name:

- Helen

- Ted

7. Distinguished persons:

- Your Magesty! (a king)

- Your Royal Highness! (a queen)

- Your Grace/His (a churchman)

- The Honourable…….! (name the title)

- Your Excellency! (a foreign ambassador)

- Senator…….(Davis)

- The President/ (to the president)

- Mr. President

III. How to Greet people:

From the very morning until twelve hours:

- Good morning.

From twelve hours until seventeen or eighteen:

- Good afternoon

From eighteen until twenty-four hours:

Good evening

Notes: 1. - Hello!

- Hi! (to greet relatives or friends or fellow workers)

2. - Good night (isn’t a greeting)

3. - How do you do? (it’s a greeting in introductions)

IV. How to Introduce people:

- May I introduce (present)……..?

May I present Professor Gray?

- May I introduce myself?

- Let me introduce…..to you.

- Mr. President, I have the honour to present our Captain.

- Mr. Parker, may I present His Excellency, the British Ambassador?

A reply to an introduction:

A: How do you do?

B: How do you do?

IV. How to Pass Someone:

- May I pass, please? (Let me pass)

V. How to Leave a Person for a moment:

- Excuse me (for) a moment.

- I’ll be back in a moment.

VI. How to Attract Someone’s Attention:

- Excuse me, please.

VII. How to Inquire about Someone’s:

1. Health: - How do you feel?

- How are you? (after a greeting)

2. Life: - How’s your life?

- How are you getting on?

3. Things: - How are your things?

Note: How are you doing? (instead of three questions).

4. Possible answers: Fine, thanks. Very well, thank you. Not bad. Not very well, I‘m afraid.

VIII. How to Apologize to Somebody for Something:

1. I am (very terribly/ awfully) sorry

For example:

- I’m sorry to trouble you

- I’m sorry, I’m (5 min) late

- I’m sorry to keep you waiting

- I’m sorry, I do not get it.

- I‘m sorry, smoking is not allowed.

- I’m sorry, smoking is not allowed (permitted)=I’m sorry but smoking is prohibited (forbidden).

2. “Pardon me” (when sneezing, coughing, yawning or hiccuping in company)

3. “to apologize” (in oral announcements or in written forms)

We’d like to apologize to you for the caused inconveniences.

Note: “Excuse” (as an apology used in America)

4. Possible replies:

- That’s all right

- It’s quite all right

- That’s OK

IX. What to Say:

1. if I haven’t heard what was said to me.

-Sorry?

-I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that

-Would you say it again, please?

2. if I do not understand:

-I’m sorry, I do not get it

-I have a bit of a problem understanding you

-My English is not so good

-My English is poor, but I do speak French very well.

-What do you mean?

3. on one’s birthday:

-Happy Birthday!

-Happy Birthday to you!

-Many happy returns of the day!

on the Eve of a New Year:

- Happy New Year! (the same to you)

on the Eve of Christmas

- Merry Christmas! (the same to you)

4.in request

- Please (fasten your seat-belt)

- Will you please……..?

- Fasten your seat- belt, please.

5.in agreement

- With pleasure

- Of course

- Certainly

- Surely

- You’re welcome

6 in giving (handing) smth.

- Here you are (there you are).

- Here it is (Here is the newspaper and the booklet).

7.in reply to “Thanks” (Thank you):

- You’re welcome

- Not at all

- Don’t mention it

Language practice

Translate from Russian into English

1. - Вы можете мне помочь?

- С удовольствием / конечно.

2. - Можно мне Ваше пальто?

- Вот, пожалуйста.

3. - Пожалуйста, пристегните Ваш привязной ремень.

4. - Разрешите Вам помочь?

- Спасибо.

- Не за что.

5. Извините, что заставил Вас ждать.

6. Извините, что заставляю Вас ждать.

7. Извините, я не понимаю.

8. Извините меня. Я вернусь через минуту.

9. - Извините за беспокойство.

- Никакого беспокойства.

10. Мы бы хотели извиниться перед вами за причиненные неудобства.

11. Извините, можно пройти?

Change the following sentences so that you say the same thing in a more polite way. Use the words in brackets.

1. Put out your cigarette!

(Would……..mind……?)

2. Can’t you find your seat?

(Are you….trouble…..your seat?)

3. You have made a mistake.

You are in someone’s seat.

(…..think…..may be…..wrong seat)

4. Please change seats with this passenger.

(Would…..mind……?)

5. Show me your boarding pass, please

(Would……mind……?)

6. Put your seatback fully upright?

(Would……mind…….?)

Note: remember the verbs which need a gerund to complete the sentences:

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