英语语法精讲：委婉的话语
英语中有许多客气或委婉的说法。学英语时要特别小心，多多体会，才不会冒失，给人不好的印象。下面(1)a-(5)a是不客气的话语;(1)b-(5)b则变为委婉：
(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) 我想问你一个问题。
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) 你遇见我的朋友吗?“Have you ever met my friend?”
a. No, I haven't.
b. I don't think I have./ I am afraid I have.
(4) 你想出去吗?“Would you like to go out?”
a. No, I wouldn't.
b. No, I don't think I would./ I don't think so.
(5) 你现在有空吗?“Are you free now?”
a. No, I am not.
b. I am afraid I have an appoint-ment this afternoon.
除了上述这些较固定的委婉口语之外，还有其他表示委婉的方法，如(6)b到(13)b：
(一)多用疑问句，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)多用情态动词(Modal verbs)，特别是过去式，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)用动词的过去式，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.
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