This tag is for questions regarding the polite use of words or phrases.
7
votes
8answers
574 views
A polite substitution for “lamer”
Is there a polite word that can be used to designate someone who didn't really understand what he or she was doing? Or, in general, someone who is intentionally ignorant of how things work. A "lamer" ...
23
votes
12answers
20k views
Are greetings and salutations redundant in an e-mail?
Do I really need to write my email this way?
Hi John,
[My Message here]
Regards, Jane
The email header already includes the to and from. The recipient should not be confused by who the ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
Euphemisms for pornography, violence, and hate
My company is creating a website and we want to say that uploading of pornographic, violent, and hateful content is prohibited. Some people at the company think these exact words are too direct, so we ...
12
votes
4answers
597 views
What are exchanges like “How are you,” “I'm fine,” and “See you later” called?
Some verbal/written exchanges convey almost no meaning but are part of the protocol of conversation. For example, somebody greets you with "How are you?" and they're not usually not listening for ...
7
votes
5answers
11k views
Is it acceptable to drop the comma in “Thanks, John”? [duplicate]
I grew up learning that the comma must be placed there, but it seems like an unnecessary interruption in a phrase that isn't ever spoken that way.
14
votes
9answers
4k views
What does “No Thanks!” mean?
Alice: Do you want some cookies?
Bob: No thanks!
Does it mean that Bob doesn't want cookies but still is thankful or its just opposite of thanks?
7
votes
4answers
3k views
Proper answer to “excuse me”
What is a proper reply for excuse me? Like for thank you, you can say no problem or welcome.
I don't know what a proper reply for excuse me would be.
1
vote
2answers
440 views
What is the correct way to answer a general question?
Is it considered rude to answer a question with a question? For instance: Q. Did you eat those cookies? A. Why?
Would the correct response be "Yes I did (or no I did not), why do you ask?"
0
votes
3answers
628 views
“very pleased to read your posting” — pleased=happy vs. pleased=satisfied
In a formal context, I would like to tell the author (whom I admire) of a posting that I was happy that I discovered/found it because I did not expect it.
I was very pleased to read your posting ...
2
votes
2answers
720 views
How to politely request to be called by first name instead of Mr. Surname?
Let's say that somebody from a partner firm with whom I've never spoken before starts an email to me with "Dear Mr. Rossi,".
When a reply to her, I think I will then have to start with "Dear Ms. ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
“Good night” or “good evening”?
If it's 7:30pm, which of these phrases is correct, Good night or Good evening?
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Why is “bloody” considered obscene in the UK but not in the US?
Why is the word bloody considered obscene in the UK but not so in the US?
0
votes
4answers
407 views
Etiquette in responding to service desk email [closed]
I just asked EA Support to send me a serial to my old game(Battlefield 2142) and they did it. Should I replay and say "thx a lot" or should I just enjoy my game and ignore them?
EA is an english ...
5
votes
2answers
10k views
When do I use a question mark with “Could you [please] …”
A sentence like
Could you please pass me the pepper shaker
is not really a question. Should I use a question mark or a period to end this sentence? What about:
Could you let me know when ...
0
votes
1answer
951 views
Should I refer to a person by his/ her name?
When writing emails, I come across a problem of whether I should refer to that person by name, or just a simple 'Hi'.
Like if I don't know say Thomas Anderson and I want to mail him for the first ...
6
votes
4answers
5k views
Is either “can” or “could” more polite? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When do I use “can” or “could”?
I wonder which of the following is more polite:
Can you please change my email address?
Could you please change my email ...
3
votes
2answers
730 views
Are the expressions “pissed” and “pissed off” inappropriate?
I've seen people go quiet when they hear one of them.
I also remember hearing it bleeped on television.
Are they inappropriate? To what extent? What audience could or should not hear it?
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Ending a note with “Thanks regardless”?
While wanting to properly close a question and thank its participants on one of StackExchange's other sites–the question had resolved itself–I started wondering if "Thanks regardless" is a proper way ...
8
votes
1answer
4k views
Politely asking “Why is this taking so long??”
I am trying to write a business email and, as English is not my first language, I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with a really polite way of saying the following:
Hi, It's been a week since I ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Correct usage of “Could” and “Can” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When do I use “can” & “could”?
In a company, the HR asked me:
"Could you please sign here".
I want to know whether it is correct or "Can " ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I ask for advice politely?
I came across the following phrase:
I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice.
Is it a natural construction for a conversational context?
Can I use the following instead in ...
9
votes
3answers
22k views
What is the meaning of “I am humbled”?
From a recent article on CNN:
Aboukhadijeh, who is from Sacramento, California, said he's been blown away by how quickly his tool went viral and is grateful for all the supportive feedback.
...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
Response to “God Bless” when parting company
What should the correct response be (from someone not overtly religious) if someone says "God bless" when parting company?
"Bye now" or "Bye" doesn't seem an adequate response.
47
votes
16answers
39k views
How do native English speakers respond to “Thank you”?
In my school and university I was taught to say "Not at all" or "Don't mention it" in response to "Thank you!". Now I rarely hear these phrases used, but rather something like "You're welcome", "It's ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Is “not at all” still alive and doing well?
I was taught to use "not at all" as a rather polite, standard reply to "thank you".
However, I don't see it being used at all nowadays. Can I still use it? Would it
be widely understood? Should I be ...
18
votes
5answers
12k views
“My friends and I” vs. “My friends and me” vs. “Me and my friends”
I've always been taught to put myself last when referring to myself in the same sentence as others but the usage of "me and..." seems to be everywhere these days. The misuse of the word "me" instead ...
17
votes
6answers
17k views
How should I ask for a bill in a restaurant politely?
I used to say check please, but my English teacher said that it's wrong, and the proper way is to say something like bill please.
What's the truth?
14
votes
2answers
548 views
Tendency of using pronouns 'she/her' when talking about a random person
Reading different specifications and manuals I've noticed that more often and often pronouns she or her are being used when some unknown person's behavior is described.
For example: "when user opens ...
16
votes
19answers
7k views
What is a less offensive synonym for “retarded”?
I occasionally use "retarded" when chastising myself or other friends. I know it's not Politically Correct, but am I only allowed to say stupid? How long before we can't say that anymore?
Other ...
11
votes
2answers
13k views
In what cases should I use a comma after “please”?
As far as I can see from different texts, there seems to be no strict rule about putting comma after "Please" when it is used as an introduction to a request. Am I right?
In what cases using comma ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
How do I ask a question politely?
When I was growing up, if I ever said something similar to "Can I go to the store with Joe?", my mom would correct me with "May I go to the store with Joe?".
Is "May I?" the typical way to ask a ...
21
votes
6answers
16k views
When do I use “can” or “could”?
When should I use can? When should I use could?
What is right under what context?
