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Course: French English Spanish Greek
Explanations in: Greek English Spanish French
C2

Politesse et formulation indirecte

Would you mind…, I'm afraid…, it might be worth…, not very : l'art britannique de l'euphémisme.

La politesse anglaise, surtout britannique, passe par l'indirect et l'atténuation. Une formulation directe, correcte grammaticalement, peut sembler brusque.

Direct (peut sembler impoli)Indirect (naturel)
Give me the file.Could you send me the file, please? / Would you mind sending me the file?
No, that's wrong.I'm not sure that's quite right. / I'm afraid that's not correct.
You must check it.It might be worth checking it.
I want a coffee.Could I have a coffee, please? / I'd like a coffee.
It's a bad idea.It's not the best idea. / I'm not convinced it would work.

Test yourself

  1. Rends plus poli : Close the window.
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    Would you mind closing the window? / Could you close the window, please?
  2. Rends plus diplomatique : Your report is bad.
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    Your report could be improved. / I'm not sure the report is quite there yet.
  3. – Would you mind if I sat here? – (accepter)
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    No, not at all. / Of course not, go ahead.
  4. Annonce poliment : « Le vol est annulé. »
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    I'm afraid the flight has been cancelled.