Tagged Questions
2
votes
1answer
278 views
Could I address someone by first name in business emails if he/she addresses me by first name?
I am really not sure about when it is appropriate to use someone's first name in business emails. If someone addresses me by my first name, but signs his email officially — full name, plus title, ...
0
votes
1answer
157 views
What should I say to people when I am passing them by?
I am talking about situations when you want to greet someone, without stopping to talk to them. In Russian, people usually say "добрый день" which means "hello." This is a greeting, not a valediction. ...
0
votes
0answers
10 views
“Could someone please” versus “Can someone please” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When do I use “can” or “could”?
Is either “can” or “could” more polite?
“Can” vs. “could” in asking a question
“Can I have one apple from your box?” vs “Could I have one ...
2
votes
4answers
444 views
What is the formal way of saying “You have got something wrong”?
Let's say that I am working with my manager; he made some mistake which I have identified, and I want to point that out to him. So is there any polite way of saying "You have got it wrong."?
(By the ...
2
votes
1answer
272 views
How do words become derogatory or politically incorrect?
I know how words can become racist but I'm not sure how a word becomes derogatory or politically incorrect. If seems as though once one does, a new term is created to replace it that is not derogatory ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Is thanks a countable noun? Many thanks or much thanks?
A colleague of mine recently wrote in an email "much thanks for your efforts." Does this usage make sense? How does "much thanks" differ from "many thanks"?
This is similar to "Is “Many thanks” a ...
9
votes
2answers
385 views
How should one address a police officer in the US? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the correct form of address for a police officer?
What is the correct way to address a police officer in the US in a non-emergency situation (such as asking ...
14
votes
6answers
2k views
What is the correct form of address for a police officer?
How should one address a police officer in English speaking countries? More specifically, in a non-emergency situation—asking directions for example—what is the expected form of address used to call a ...
5
votes
3answers
30k views
“Could you please” vs “Could you kindly”
I am a non-native speaker of English. When communicating with a professor, would it be better to use could you kindly send me the document or could you please send me the document? I know both are ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
“And to you” or “you too”?
I really like to chat with English folks, so I have wished them Merry Christmas. To my surprise I have noticed the following pattern — the British answered "and to you", but Americans "you too". The ...
2
votes
2answers
281 views
Addressing Professors: Between Dr. and a hard place
Early in my (academic) life, I was told that it is appropriate to address a faculty as Professor only when he/she possesses the full Professorial rank and I would be better off addressing Assistant ...
2
votes
2answers
538 views
How do I reject an offer? [closed]
Recently I got an offer letter from one of the top companies. However, because of some unexpected situations I want to reject the offer. In the mail I've explained all the reasons, but I am finding it ...
5
votes
2answers
393 views
Beg to differ - Why is there a need to beg for differ
Wouldn't 'Wish to differ' be better than 'Beg to differ'? A friend of mine asked me why I like to 'beg to differ', instead of 'wish to differ' or 'want to differ'.
Any insight on the history of 'Beg ...
5
votes
2answers
564 views
Is it offensive to call a Jewish person a “semite”?
Is it considered offensive to call a Jewish person a Semite? I've heard the phrase anti-semite or anti-semitism, but I've never heard someone call someone a Semite.
5
votes
2answers
788 views
When to use decline for polite refusal and when not to
In a business English class:
One of my students said: "I decline your report."
I said that was wrong, but I couldn't think of a concrete reason, or rule for when I can use decline as a polite ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the “superlative” way of expressing “thank you”
On rare occasions, you are in a situation where a simple Thank You seems like you're undermining the other person's help. You know, instances where you are too grateful to express your feelings of ...
29
votes
8answers
9k views
“Toilet”, “lavatory” or “loo” for polite society
My friend is trying so hard to fit into polite society, and is raising her child to say loo rather than toilet. I know it should be lavatory (and I would not say lav) but we are in the 21st century ...
9
votes
1answer
766 views
Is there any situation where I should use ‘Thank you’ instead of ‘Thanks’?
The EL&U’s archives told me ‘thanks’ is slightly more informal than ‘thank you’. I’d like to get a little more specific info.
I’m now reading Harry Potter series and came across the following ...
-5
votes
3answers
938 views
Since “Jap” is a racist/derogatory word, what's an appropriate short form for Japanese/the Japanese language? [closed]
Since Jap may turn out to be derogatory/offensive, what's an appropriate short form for Japanese/the Japanese language?
5
votes
3answers
456 views
Is “girls” a suitable complementary term to go along with “guys”?
Trying to keep the discussion about language and meaning, and hopefully not getting socio-political, is "girls" a valid counterpart for "guys", as in "guys and girls"? The intention is to describe a ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
“Thanks” or “thank you”?
Which one is correct — "Thank you Jim" or "Thanks Jim"?
If I start an email with the sentence "Thank you Jim" in Outlook, it shows grammar error while if I begin with "Thanks Jim" it doesn't.
2
votes
6answers
868 views
How can I greet a group of teachers?
Suppose I'm walking in my school corridor and there are 4–5 teachers standing in the hallway. How can I greet them all at once?
Anything better than "Greetings, teachers"?
50
votes
13answers
6k views
Is there a polite alternative to “No thanks, I'm full”?
English is not my native language, but when I was studying in the US, I was always trying to find an alternative to
I'm full!
I felt that it was a very improper way to express that I have eaten ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Correct response to “Pardon me”
My young son recently started saying "Pardon me" after, for example, burping. We try to praise, or at least respond, when he does something right, as encouragement and as a form of learning. This ...
6
votes
3answers
11k views
“Thank both of you”
Is there a trace first person pronoun before the utterance "thank you", making it shorthand for "I/we thank you"?
A ramification of this question is an expression of gratitude I just heard that ...
3
votes
1answer
6k views
'May I speak to…' vs 'May I speak with…' vs 'May I talk to…' [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“Speak to” vs. “Speak with”
What is the difference between “speaking” and “talking”?
What is the ideal opening line for a phone conversation? In ...
0
votes
3answers
618 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
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 ...
47
votes
16answers
38k 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 ...
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?
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?
