与人交往，礼貌先行。若想用英语表达一种谦逊，以示礼貌，除语调变化之外，更多的还与措辞和句型有涉。本文拟对常用的礼貌表达法作一简介。

1. 句首避免使用“I”

(1) It is hoped that you’ll have a chance to visit our city again.

   希望您再有机会来我市访问。

上句以被动语态开头，避免直接提及I，语气上要比I hope(that) you’ll have a chance to visit our city again客观婉转。

(2) There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.

   有件事我想跟你谈谈。

上例句首使用there be结构，语气上要比直说I have something to talk to you about客气得多。

(3) May I know your name?

   请问尊姓大名？

此句以May开头，比I want to know your name.或What’s your name? 婉转客气。

(4) My sister and myself will go shopping this afternoon.

   我和姐姐下午要去买东西。

上句不直说I，而用反身代词myself，语气比My sister and I…斯文。

(5) We hoped that this book, being written in simple English, would be suitable for beginners.

本书用浅显英语写成，我们希望能适合初学者用。

句中以we代替I，更显谦逊之语势。

2. 用疑问句代替祈使句

(1) Would you please show me the way to the nearest post-office?

       请问到最近的邮局怎么走？

    (2) Will you come again tomorrow morning, Mr. James?

   詹姆斯先生，您明天上午再来一次好吗？

3. 以could、might、would等情态动词代替can、may、will等

(1) Would Tuesday morning at ten suit you?

   星期四上午十点钟对您合适吗？

(2) Could you come to my office sometime this week?

   您是否可以于本周什么时候到我办公室来一下？

(3) Might I use your bike a minute?  

   我是否可以借用一会儿您的自行车？

4. 使用插入成分或附加语句

(1) This is not the one I want, I’m afraid.

   这恐怕不是我想要的那个。

(2) I think I’d rather take the bus.

   我想乘坐这趟车。

(3) How much did you pay for your new watch, if I may ask?

   请问您花多少钱买的这新表？

(4) You may keep it longer if you like.

   您要是愿意可以继续用它。

(5) If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak in English.

   您要是不反对，我想用英语讲。

(6) Lovely weather, isn’t it?

   天气真好，是吗？

(7) I don’t think I’ll take it.

   我不想要这个。

(8) I should say (= I think) that’s what I really mean.

    我想那才是我的真正意思。

(9) I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you.

   我希望没有使您感到不便。

(10) I wonder if we could make it some other time.

   我们可另找时间吗？

5. 用进行时代替一般时

(1) Shall / Will you be going to the party?

   您要去参加这个聚会吗？（此句比Will you go to the party?语气婉转。）

(2) We’ll be expecting you for supper, Miss Hill.

   希尔小姐，我们等您来吃饭。（此句比We’ll expect you for supper婉转。）

(3) I’m hoping to hear from you soon.

   希望不久收到您的来信。

6. 用过去进行时代替现在进行时，用一般过去时代替一般现在时

(1) I was calling about the trip tomorrow, Mr.Henry.

   亨利先生，我打电话给您想询问一下明天旅游的事儿。

(2) What did you want me to do?

   您要我做什么？

(3) I hoped that you would do me a favor.

   我希望您能帮我一个忙。

7. 用Would you be so kind as to…句型

Would you be so kind as to pass me the salt?

  劳驾把盐递给我。

8. 用I am sorry but…等致歉性词语开首

I’m sorry but I have some more questions to ask you.

对不起我还有几个问题要请您解答。

9. 用其它表示客套或较正式的词汇手段

(1) I venture to voice an opinion about our English teaching which somewhat differs from Mr. Wang’s.

我想冒昧说点关于我们英语教学的我见，或许与王先生的见解不尽相同。

(2) Will you deign to pay me a visit.

您是否能枉驾前来看望我一次？

注：除非在相当正式的场合，否则不要过多使用此类表示法，以免给人以做作之嫌。