Create your own awesome maps
Even on the go
with our free apps for iPhone, iPad and Android
Get StartedAlready have an account? Log In
Politeness is an expression which we use for showing good manners toward other people, as in behaviour, speech, etc.
A polite way of expressing gratitude is very important for everyday common speech. Gratitude can be expressed, and usually is expressed in 2 ways: by saying "thank you", and by saying "you are welcome"
Thank you is the most common phrase for expressing your gratitude to someone. Example: I have just configured your PC, and you can now start a LAN network. Oh, thank you very much.
Using "you are welcome" we are expressing our gratitude back to someone's gratitude. Example: I have just configured your PC, and you can now start a LAN network. Oh, thank you very much! You are welcome!
A polite way of asking permission can be performed by using 4 key phrases: can, could, may, do you mind. Using one of these phrases depends on how bad do we want something, and how high is our level of politeness.
Example: Can you check if my graphic card can support directX 11? "Can" is the most insecure way of asking a permission, because it depends on the way you are asking the permission (the tone of your voice).
Example: Could you check if my graphic card can support directX 11? It is a better way of asking someone for something, because it sounds more polite and it gives people to choose several answers.
Examples: May you check if my graphic card can support directX 11? It is the most polite way of asking someone for permission, also it is the most formal way to ask something.
Example: Do you mind checking if my graphic card can support directX 11? It is even more polite way than "may". It is used when we are trying not to disturb another person.
Apologizing is unavoidable part of politeness. In everyday conversations we often do all kind of mistakes, and after that usually comes an apology as an indicator of our politeness.
Example: I just downloaded a virus to your PC. I'm sorry! "I'm sorry" is a most common way of apologizing. It can be expressed in many different ways, and it depends of level of our politeness. Example: I'm really sorry. I'm very sorry. I'm so sorry. etc.
A polite way of asking questions is also very important for someone to be accepted in the society.
Example: I wonder if you can tell me where is the main Microsoft building? We use "I wonder if" when we are trying to be as much polite as we can.
Example: Would you tell me how can I make an application for Iphone? "Would" is a less polite way of asking questions than "I wonder if", but it is very effective.
Example: Excuse me. Can you start this new game for me? "Excuse me" is a polite way for starting a question, and not a question phrase. It is used when we are interrupting someone to ask him something.
Example: Can you please tell me how to set up a wired connection? "Please" is a basic and most common word of grammar of politeness. It is not only used for asking questions, but everywhere else.