英語講義【168】委婉的話語
英語中有許多客氣或委婉的說法。學英語時要特別小心，多多體會，才不會冒失，給人不好的印象。
下面（1）a-（5）a是不客氣的話語；（1）b-（5）b則變為委婉：
（1） 你要什么？
a. What do you want?
b. Can I help you? / Is there anything I can do for you?/ Can I be of any help to you?
（2） 我想問你一個問題。
a. I want to ask you a question.
b. I would like to ask you a ques-tion./ May I ask you a question?
（3） 你遇見我的朋友嗎？Have you ever met my friend?
a. No, I havent.
b. I dont think I have./ I am afraid I have.
（4） 你想出去嗎？Would you like to go out?
a. No, I wouldnt.
b. No, I dont think I would./ I dont think so.
（5） 你現在有空嗎？Are you free now?
a. No, I am not.
b. I am afraid I have an appoint-ment this afternoon.
除了上述這些較固定的委婉口語之外，還有其他表示委婉的方法，如（6）b到（13）b：
（一）多用疑問句，如：
（6） a. Shut the door, please.
b. Would you please shut the door?
（7） a. I suggest that you go?
b. May I suggest that you go?
（二）多用情態動詞（Modal verbs），特別是過去式，如：
（8） a. I want a cup of tea.
b. I would like to have a cup of tea. / Could I have a cup of tea?
（9） a. I think you are making a mistake.
b. I should have thought you were making a mistake.
（三）用動詞的過去式，如：
（10） a. Do you want to see me?
b. Did you want to see me?
（11） a. I wonder if you will give me a hand?
b. I wondered if you would give me a hand?
（12） a. I will appreciate it if you can approve my application.
b. I would appreciate it if you could approve my application.
（13） a. I am wondering if you will give me some advice.
b. I was wondering if you would give me some advice.
英語中有許多客氣或委婉的說法。學英語時要特別小心，多多體會，才不會冒失，給人不好的印象。
下面（1）a-（5）a是不客氣的話語；（1）b-（5）b則變為委婉：
（1） 你要什么？
a. What do you want?
b. Can I help you? / Is there anything I can do for you?/ Can I be of any help to you?
（2） 我想問你一個問題。
a. I want to ask you a question.
b. I would like to ask you a ques-tion./ May I ask you a question?
（3） 你遇見我的朋友嗎？Have you ever met my friend?
a. No, I havent.
b. I dont think I have./ I am afraid I have.
（4） 你想出去嗎？Would you like to go out?
a. No, I wouldnt.
b. No, I dont think I would./ I dont think so.
（5） 你現在有空嗎？Are you free now?
a. No, I am not.
b. I am afraid I have an appoint-ment this afternoon.
除了上述這些較固定的委婉口語之外，還有其他表示委婉的方法，如（6）b到（13）b：
（一）多用疑問句，如：
（6） a. Shut the door, please.
b. Would you please shut the door?
（7） a. I suggest that you go?
b. May I suggest that you go?
（二）多用情態動詞（Modal verbs），特別是過去式，如：
（8） a. I want a cup of tea.
b. I would like to have a cup of tea. / Could I have a cup of tea?
（9） a. I think you are making a mistake.
b. I should have thought you were making a mistake.
（三）用動詞的過去式，如：
（10） a. Do you want to see me?
b. Did you want to see me?
（11） a. I wonder if you will give me a hand?
b. I wondered if you would give me a hand?
（12） a. I will appreciate it if you can approve my application.
b. I would appreciate it if you could approve my application.
（13） a. I am wondering if you will give me some advice.
b. I was wondering if you would give me some advice.
