Sometimes in English, speakers give instructions and make requests that sound like suggestions. This is an indirect or softer way of giving instructions or asking someone to do something. Do you have a similar way of using softeners in your other language(s)?
Place the number of each sentence or question below along the scale to show how direct or indirect you think it is.
1 |
1. Get in line. | 5 |
5. Would you mind if I just jumped ahead of you? |
2 |
2. Could you hang on a second? | 6 |
6. Would you be able to call him? |
3 |
3. I was hoping you might have a minute … | 7 |
7. Why don’t you help yourself to a pop? |
4 |
4. If I could just get to you sign off … | 8 |
8. You’d better take the keys and move the truck. |