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The English Workout đź’Ş
Ciao a tutti!
Daniel Tanner here and welcome back to ChatBubble the weekly newsletter that helps Italian professionals communicate more effectively with their English speaking colleagues and clients. đź’Ľ
Let’s get started….
I’m afraid we need to talk
When speaking another language it’s important to be aware of how the things you say might be misunderstood or, as we say in English, taken the wrong way.
This is especially true in a work environment where we often have to give our opinions and contradict others.
So here are 6 ways to give bad news in English without offending anyone.
1. Using softeners
Softeners come at the beginning of the sentence and prepare your listener or reader to the bad news you are giving them.
I have to cancel the meeting | I’m afraid I have to cancel the meeting. I’m so sorry but I have to cancel the meeting. Unfortunately, something’s come up and I have to cancel the meeting. Actually, I have to cancel the meeting. To be honest, I’ll have to cancel that meeting. |
2. Modal verbs
When giving an order or making a request, try using modal verbs like would, could, may or might
I want more time. | I could do with more time. It would be so helpful to have more time. |
Give me an answer by tomorrow | Could you give me an answer by tomorrow? |
3. Using qualifiers
Qualifiers are words used to modify other words. They increase or decrease the quality of the other words. Some examples are a little, a bit, a little bit, slight, slightly, small, one or two.
We are having problems with the new product | We are having one or two problems with the new product. |
We’re going to run over budget | We’re going to run slightly over budget. |
The launch plans are behind schedule. | The launch plans are a little bit behind schedule. |
4. Negative Question Forms
Try softening suggestions by using a negative question form. We use shouldn’t, wouldn’t and couldn’t for this purpose.
We should try something different | Shouldn’t we try something different? |
We need to tell the boss what happened | Wouldn’t it be a good idea to tell the boss what happened? |
You need to do it this way | Couldn’t you try doing it this way? |
5. Using the Past Continuous
You could also use the past continuous tense to sound more diplomatic.
I hope we can have a lunch break today | I was hoping we could have a lunch break today |
I think we should offer Sally the job | I was thinking we should offer Sally the job |
I plan to organise a conference call to discuss this issue | I was planning to organise a conference call to discuss this issue |
6. Using the Passive voice
Here we are removing the subject (you) from the sentence completely and focusing on the object and the action. The effect here is to place the blame on the action and not the person.
You said you were going to sign the contract today | We were told that the contract would be signed today |
You agreed to lower your fees | It was agreed you would lower your fees |
You missed the deadline | The deadline has been missed |
Time to practice!
That’s right, it’s over to you. Try rewriting the sentences below using the 6 techniques above to make them sound less direct.
Click save when you’ve finished and reply to this email with “finished!“ and I’ll check your work 🤓
That's all for this edition! If you have any questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future newsletters, feel free to reach out.
Grazie mille and see you next time!
Daniel Tanner
Images, material and platforms courtesy of the BBC, mindgames.com and goodnewsnetwork.com
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