How to Sound More Polite in English

Hey there!

It’s no secret that one of the things that characterise British English is (*drum roll please*) politeness.

Many advanced learners understand others excellently and are incredible at expressing themselves. However, when it comes to sounding polite, some people may still have some hiccups as they might come across as too direct or blunt…

Sounding polite is not only about the words you use, but also your tone. How you phrase things can completely change how you're perceived; it could either be confident and considerate, or blunt and even unnatural (and we don’t want that, right?).

To help you master the skill of politeness smoothly, we have summarised the most important things you should take into account. These small but powerful changes will most definitely help you sound more polite while also sounding natural (wohoo 🥳).

---

Tips to sound more polite in English

Soften direct statements

We’ve already mentioned how some learners might sound too sharp or blunt when trying to sound more polite. Softening direct statements with words like “a bit”, “a little", or “perhaps” is a great way to avoid sounding too strong or abrupt.

Just have a look at the examples below. Do you notice a difference in the tone?

"It’s noisy" → "It’s a bit noisy in here"

"Let’s do something else" → "Perhaps we could try something else?"

Use modal verbs

Making suggestions or requests while still sounding polite is probably something you might struggle with sometimes, right? Has it ever happened that you wanted to ask for something, but it simply sounded too direct?

Well, modal verbs come in very handy for that. Try using words like “could”, “would”, “might”, “may”, etc., and you’ll see how the tone of your sentence changes immediately.

Here are some examples:

“Pass me the salt” → "Could you pass me the salt?"

“Let’s reschedule” → "Would it be possible to reschedule?"

“I need more time” → "I might need a bit more time"

Turn statements into polite questions

Very often, framing something as a question can come across as much more tactful, especially as it makes it easier for the other person to respond, which makes it feel more “collaborative” rather than like an order. Now, be honest with yourself, which of these sounds more polite?

"I’m opening the window" or "Do you mind if I open the window?"

"You need help" or "Would you like some help?"

Use softening adverbs

Did you know that using softening adverbs like “just” or “actually” can help reduce the impact of a request or correction? We would just recommend you try to use them in moderation and not overdo it.

Here are some great examples of how these words can soften what you are trying to say:

"I’m just wondering if…"

"Actually, I think we’ve already covered that topic"

Use passive voice

Think of a moment in which it’s especially important to be polite.

Did you think, by any chance, of professional or sensitive situations? Well, these are some moments where trying to depersonalise or soften difficult messages might be even more relevant to you and using the passive voice is a great tool for that. It can make difficult conversations less confrontational - yay!

Just check it out for yourself:

"It seems there’s been a misunderstanding"

"The document might have been misplaced"

Be indirect when giving feedback or criticism

Now, if you have ever listened to a Brit, you might have noticed that, especially when giving feedback or criticising something, they might sound quite… indirect…

That is because they usually try to swap direct negatives for more tactful alternatives, even if it means the other person might have to guess what they are trying to say (sorry about that!).

Which of these do you think sounds more polite?

"That’s wrong" or "I’m not sure that’s quite right"

"That’s rude" or "That might be a little too strong"

Use polite introductory phrases

Okay, our last tip is a very obvious one, but that doesn’t make it less important!

Starting your sentences or questions with phrases like “I was wondering if…”, “Would it be alright if…”, or “Do you happen to know…” automatically makes you sound 10x more polite (and also British 😉 - a win-win situation.)

---

Now, would it be alright if we wrapped up this week’s newsletter? Sounding polite isn’t about using super-long sentences or complex words. It’s about tone, awareness and choosing your phrasing carefully. Being polite helps you come across as thoughtful, confident and even culturally aware, which is essential in professional and academic settings (but also in casual ones!).

Did any of these tips surprise you? And is there anything you would add?

See you in the next one!

Benjamin & Cami