Using different tenses to be polite
Listen, type the full sentence, then see exactly where you went wrong.
Intermediate and above, or any learner training full listening without hints.
Repeat each exercise at least 3 times to improve faster!
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About this exercise
Politeness in English can often be expressed through different tenses. This exercise focuses on using past and continuous tenses to make requests and suggestions appear more indirect and polite. You will hear examples of how to phrase statements creatively, such as saying 'I wanted to ask you something' instead of a direct request. Using tenses this way softens your approach and can lead to more comfortable interactions. This practice is particularly useful in everyday scenarios, allowing you to engage in conversations with a polite tone.
Questions about this exercise
Past tenses, like 'I wanted to ask you,' soften requests, making them seem less direct.
Continuous tenses, such as 'I’m thinking you should,' convey suggestions less assertively.
An example is 'I hoped you'd help me,' which sounds more courteous than directly asking.