unit 12.3

1. Politeness is about keeping good relations with your listener or reader. There are two types of politeness

2. – showing the listener or reader that you value and respect them.

3. – changing or softening what you say so as not to be too direct or forceful.

4. Modal expressions We can use certain modal verbs, especially the past forms of the modal verbs can, may, shall and will (could, might, should and would), to be more polite or less direct. We can also use other modal expressions (certainly, possibility, be likely to, be supposed to be).

5. welcoming visitors