Daily speaking expressions English Expressions in Speaking & Writing & How to Use Them

Contd.

8. Please excuse my (ignorance)
9. Please don't be mad at me.
10. Please accept our (sincerest) apologies.

• We use phrase 8 to apologise for our lack of knowledge or ability. We can replace the word in brackets with other nouns, e.g. carelessness, forgetfulness.
• Phrase 9 is asking the other person not to get angry. The tone is quite informal.
• Phrase 10 is often used in formal letters. The word 'sincerest' makes the apology very strong and very formal.

Asking for information

1. Can you tell me...?
2. Could you tell me...?
3. I'd like to know...
4. D'you know...

• Phrases 1 - 10 are all followed by indirect questions. So 'What's the time?' becomes 'Can you tell me what the time is'.
• Phrase 2 is a little more formal and polite than phrase 1.
• Phrases 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are polite and are good to use if you are asking a stranger or you are asking at a public information desk.
• Phrase 4 is more informal.

Contd.

6. Could anyone tell me...?
5. (Got / Have you) any idea...?
7. Do / Would) you happen to know...?
8. I don't suppose you (would) know...?
9. I wonder if you could tell me...?
10. I wonder if someone could tell me...?

• Phrases 5 and 7 are more informal if you say them with out the part in () brackets.
• Phrases 9 and 10 are very formal and in an informal situation some people may react strangely if they think that you are being sarcastic.
• By using phrases 1 to 10, we make it easier for the listener to say 'Sorry I don't know'.

Avoiding giving information

1. No comment.
2. I'm not at liberty to say.
3. Wait and see.
4. Let me get back to you.
5. I'm sorry, that's confidential.
6. (Sorry) That's personal.

• Phrase 1 is often used by politicians and celebrities when they are asked difficult or embarrassing questions by journalists.
• We use phrases 2 and 5 to say there is a rule that prevents you giving information.
• Phrase 3 is refusing to tell somebody something about the near future. We often use it when we are preparing a surprise for somebody.
• Phrase 6 is telling the other person that you consider the information to be private. You are also criticising the other person for asking.