‘Would’ to be polite

In English, we often say things in a less direct way, in order to be polite. One way to make things less

direct is to use 'would', especially with a verb like 'imagine', 'suggest' or 'recommend'. 'Would' gives

the sentence an imaginary or hypothetical feeling.

• Instead of saying 'the answer isn't correct', it's more polite to say 'I would imagine that the

answer isn't correct'.

• Instead of saying 'do it again', it's more polite to say 'I would suggest doing it again'.

• Instead of saying 'you should get a new car', it's more polite to say 'I would recommend

getting a new car'.

Let's review! Make these sentences less direct.

1. You should arrive early. (recommend)

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2. The report needs more work. (imagine)

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3. You should save more money. (recommend)

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4. Change the tickets. (suggest)

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5. You should eat less sugar. (recommend)

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6. Study more. (suggest)

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7. The boss has made a mistake. (imagine)

___________________________________________________________________________

8. These numbers are not right. (imagine)

___________________________________________________________________________

9. Work more on this report. (suggest)

___________________________________________________________________________

10. Answer all the emails. (suggest)

___________________________________________________________________________

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Answers

1. I would recommend arriving early.

2. I would imagine that the report needs more work.

3. I would recommend saving more money.

4. I would suggest changing the tickets.

5. I would recommend eating less sugar.

6. I would suggest studying more.

7. I would imagine that the boss has made a mistake.

8. I would imagine that these numbers are not right.

9. I would suggest working more on this report.

10. I would suggest answering all the emails.

© www.perfect-english-grammar.com
May be freely copied for personal or classroom use