Are you ever in a situation where you want to say something in English but you don’t have the right words and phrases? Well, today’s conversation focuses on saying no in English in a way that is polite and won’t offend anybody!
A quick bit of reading
Read the 3 short conversations in my photo and answer the questions:
- Who do you think is speaking in each conversation (colleagues, friends, strangers, family)?
- What does each person need help with?
- What reason does the other person give for not helping?
Look at the structure of politely saying no in English:
We tend to give an apology using ‘but’ (e.g. I’d love to but…..) and an excuse/reason. Try to complete the gaps.
- I ________ but I’ve hurt my back.
- Sorry ___________ that.
- I’m ________ __________ rush.
- I’m ____________ I can’t.
- _________________ I would.
- ___________ next time though.
Practise your pronunciation:
The intonation (pronunciation) and facial expression are also REALLY important in English. We need to look very sorry and have an apologetic tone! Listen to how I say them:
Once you have learnt the phrases above, practise saying them in a mirror or record yourself on your mobile phone to see/hear how you sound. You should look and sound as though you feel very bad that you can’t help!
Remember: Next time somebody asks you for help or a favour, try to use this structure and these phrases…..and don’t forget your sorry face
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10 Responses
This is so useful! Thank you Nicki! I won’t forget my sorry face!!
Glad to hear it! Thanks for the feedback Jo
Hello Nicky! Someday i’d like to eat easter eggs in Uk with my family and youn hahah. I hope you have had an excellent time this week.
1- In the conversatiob 1: A neighbor or a friend
Conversation 2: A passerby or a classmate in the University.
Conversation 3: A Boss talking to his workers.
2- What does person A need help with?
A- The person needs to moving house.
B- This person needs to collect money to make a gap years abroad
C- It’s possible that the Boss needs a lot workers to increase the production this weekend.
3-What reason does person B give for not helping?
A- He would, but he’s hurt his back. Sorry about that.
B- Sorry. I can’t stop. Im in a rush
C- Oh i’m afraid I can’t…otherwise..I would..sorry about that.
2) Look at the structure of politely saying no in English:
•I would
•About
•I can’t stop
•I’m in a rush
•I’m afraid I can’t otherwise I would
•Sorry about that definitely néstor time though.
I’m looking forward your comments Nicki
God bless you!
Jimy
Wow Jimy! You really worked hard at this lesson, well done! 🙂 Yes, your answers are spot on! For question 1, 3C I would say the reason is his parents are visiting but other than that, fantastic work. I hope you found these phrases and the pronunciation exercise useful. Hopefully you will get a chance to use them in the future! PS Yes, lovely Easter holidays thank you 🙂
Excuse me teacher, I ‘ ve got a questíon for you:
1- Can I say:
We do need to say no to the People
Or
We have to say no to the people.
Right?
Regards Teacher
Great question. ‘we have to say no’ is usually perfect. In this context, I used ‘we do need to’ because I wanted to emphasize. To emphasize, we can use the auxiliary verb. I hope that clarifies it for you 🙂
No is always difficult to say. They are very useful phrases indeed!
It is! So pleased you found these phrases helpful Grace 🙂 thank you for the feedback!
Hi Nicki!
I liked this lesson especially.
In the first conversation, the people who speak are friends.
One of them needs help with a hand moving his house but another says that he would help but he has hurt his back.
In the second conversation, the people who speak are strangers. The one says that he is collecting donations but another says that he can’t stop because he is in a rush.
In the third conversation, the people who speak are colleagues.
The boss says that he needs as many staff as possible to work overtime this weekend. The worker says that he is afraid he can’t because he is waiting for his parents to visit him
Yep, you’re spot on Kalinka! It’s interesting how much the tone and phrases change depending on the relationship, isn’t it!
Glad you enjoyed it 😊