Polite speech. In business dealings with English speakers, it is impor-

tant not to offend other people by being rude or too direct. You can make a 

negative statement sound more positive by your choice of words. The sen-

tences on the left below are rather too blunt. Match them with the more tact-

ful sentences on the right.

1. It's too expensive to do it. a. Is that really very sensible this way? 

2. You're telling lies. b. I'm afraid Wednesday is not very 

convenient for me.

3. The room is filthy. c. I find that rather difficult to believe. 

4. That is stupid. d. The room isn't very clean. 

5. Wednesday is impossible. e. Wouldn't it be cheaper to do it 

another way.