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2 Post By bhaisahab -
1 Post By emsr2d2
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Are you finished?' versus 'Have you finished?'
Hi Teachers,
I've read one of the posts here and I have this question:
Is 'Have you finished? more polite than 'Are you finished'?
You usually say 'Are you finished?' when you are more impatient and it can be used with your friends. I think it would be impolite to tell a senior person 'Are you finished?' Sounds more demanding and impolite to me. Is that so? Am I completely wrong?
Thanks in advance
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Re: Are you finished?' versus 'Have you finished?'

Originally Posted by
learning54
Hi Teachers,
I've read one of the posts here and I have this question:
Is 'Have you finished? more polite than 'Are you finished'?
You usually say 'Are you finished?' when you are more impatient and it can be used with your friends. I think it would be impolite to tell a senior person 'Are you finished?' Sounds more demanding and impolite to me. Is that so? Am I completely wrong?
Thanks in advance
For me, only "have you finished" is correct.
-
Re: Are you finished?' versus 'Have you finished?'

Originally Posted by
learning54
Hi Teachers,
I've read one of the posts here and I have this question:
Is 'Have you finished? more polite than 'Are you finished'?
You usually say 'Are you finished?' when you are more impatient and it can be used with your friends. I think it would be impolite to tell a senior person 'Are you finished?' Sounds more demanding and impolite to me. Is that so? Am I completely wrong?
Thanks in advance
I agree with Bhaisahab that "Have you finished?" is the correct term and that can be said both formally and informally.
I think with either of the phrases, it depends on how you say it. If you approach an older person, or someone who you don't know very well, and who you would generally speak very politely to, it's possible to make the question sound polite simply with your tone of voice or possibly the addition of "Sir" on the end if you are a waiter.
"Are/Have you finished, Sir?"
"Yes, thank you."
"OK, I'll take your plate. Did you enjoy your meal?"
"Yes, it was delicious, thank you."
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Re: Are you finished?' versus 'Have you finished?'

Originally Posted by
bhaisahab
For me, only "have you finished" is correct.
Hi,
Thank you so much for your answer.
Best,
Learning
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Re: Are you finished?' versus 'Have you finished?'

Originally Posted by
emsr2d2
I agree with Bhaisahab that "Have you finished?" is the correct term and that can be said both formally and informally.
I think with either of the phrases, it depends on how you say it. If you approach an older person, or someone who you don't know very well, and who you would generally speak very politely to, it's possible to make the question sound polite simply with your tone of voice or possibly the addition of "Sir" on the end if you are a waiter.
"Are/Have you finished, Sir?"
"Yes, thank you."
"OK, I'll take your plate. Did you enjoy your meal?"
"Yes, it was delicious, thank you."
Hi,
Thank you so much for your reply and examples.
Best,
Learning
Last edited by learning54; 26-Dec-2011 at 11:01.
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