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How to sound less direct.

intermediate

How to sound less direct.

with MaxBex

4. Intermediate

In English it is important not to be too direct! Let's learn how to be careful about how we talk, and make sure we don't offend an English speaker.

directness

Germany, France, Israel have more direct cultures.

Japan, the UK, Korea have more indirect cultures.

Pick the correct answer

Are people more direct, or less direct in your culture?

Levels of politeness are important in English.

Where is the toilet?

direct

Do you know... Could you... Would you mind...

"Do you know where the toilet is?"

"Could you tell me where the toilet is?"

"Would you mind telling me where the toilet is?"

turning an order into a request

Pick me up at 8pm.

very direct

SUPER POLITE

I would be grateful if you could pick me up at 8pm.

POLITE

Could you pick me up at 8, please?

POLITE, BUT DIRECT

Could you pick me up at 8?

QUITE DIRECT

Please pick me up at 8.

Pick the correct answer

Is "I want a glass of water" rude?

Pointing out mistakes in English can be difficult.

"You sent me the wrong address, so I got lost."

VERY DIRECT

ALWAYS SHIFT THE FOCUS ONTO YOURSELF TAKE "YOU" OUT OF IT.

"I think the address I was sent may not have been the right one, so I got lost."

Instead of "You told me to come at 7."

try... "I thought I was supposed to come at 7."

disagreeing with people

Pick the correct answer

Is "you are wrong" polite?

My colleague was SURE that in the back seat you don't have to wear a seatbelt.

I KNOW this is against the law in the UK.

"I think in the UK even people in the back are meant to wear a seatbelt."

"I'm not sure about that."

Instead of "You're wrong!"

"I don't think that's right."

Instead of "I don't like the painting, I think it is rubbish?"

"I think I would prefer it in a more realistic style."

That's wrong! = I'm not sure that's right. That's stupid! = I'm not convinced that's a great idea. That's a terrible idea! = That's not something I can agree with.

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Full Video Duration: 19 minutes
Aired: over 1 year ago

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