What is diplomatic English?

Diplomatic English is the communicative ability to soften your language and tone in English and
(“politeness” and “diplomatic English”) is highly valued by the British and Americans in companies and
to a lesser extent by other Anglo-Saxon countries

1. Using softeners
“Softeners” se usan para suavizar el mensaje.

(bad example)

“I have to cancel the meeting.”

(good examples)

“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.”

Explanation:

 This is direct with no apology for giving bad news. It can sound harsh with little empathy for
the other person.
 Softeners come at the beginning of the sentence and prepares your listener for the bad news
you are giving them.

2. Usar los verbos modales

Modal Verbs (e.g. would, could, may, might) can make you sound more friendly and
avoid the imperative.

(bad examples)

“I want more time.”

“Give me an answer by tomorrow.”

(good examples)

“I could do with more time.”

“It would be so helpful to have more time.”

“Could you give me an answer by tomorrow?

 Explanation:

 It doesn’t sound demanding or like an order and sounds more friendly.

Here’s another important technique for better “inglés diplomático”.

3. Usar “Qualifiers”
Using qualifiers (e.g. one or two, slightly, a little bit, a few) to decrease the impact of bad
news:

(bad examples)

“We are having problems with the new medical device.”

“We’re going to run over budget.” 

“The launch plans are behind schedule.”

(good examples)

“We are having one or two problems with the new product.”“We’re going to run slightly over
budget.”

“The launch plans are a little bit behind schedule.”

Explanation:

 Qualifiers are words that increase or decrease the “impact” of the other words.
 They are used frequently to decrease “impact” when giving bad news.

Explanation:

 the passive voice can be useful to soften your language, be indirect and remove emotion.
 the passive voice puts the emphasis and blame on the “action” (object) and removes it from
“you” (subject).
 the passive voice helps avoid confrontation.
 while the active voice is much more direct.

5. Usar preguntas negativas

Negative Question Forms to soften the impact:

(bad examples)

“We should change the wording of our recommendations for the client report.”
“The report needs to be much shorter to save time for the client.”

“We must inform the stakeholders about this issue immediately.”

(good examples)

“Shouldn’t we change the wording of our recommendations for the client report?”

“Couldn’t we shorten the report to save time for the client?”

“Couldn’t we arrange to inform the stakeholders immediately?”

7. Redo a negative sentence to make it more positive

Rephrasing a negative sentence

(bad examples)

"I haven't finished the report."

"I won't have the report ready by then."

(good examples)

"I've not been able to finish the report yet."

"I won't be able to have the report ready by then."