how to ask these questions?

[jctgf]

hi,

1) how should i ask questions when shopping?

"do you have batteries, please?"

"do you guys sell batteries, please?"

"i am looking for batteries. do you have it, please?"


2) how to address the stewardess during a flight?

"i would like some water, please"

"could you get me some water, please"

thanks,
jc

[baqarah131]

Your sentences are correct, and good English, except:

Don't say "you guys" to a stranger. It would be rude.
Just say "you".

and
"Do you have any, please?"

regards
edward

Originally Posted by jctgf

hi,

1) how should i ask questions when shopping?

"do you have batteries, please?"

"do you guys sell batteries, please?"

"i am looking for batteries. do you have it, please?"


2) how to address the stewardess during a flight?

"i would like some water, please"

"could you get me some water, please"

thanks,
jc

[jctgf]

hi,

thanks!

how to say if i want to address to more than one person?

"you ..."?

thanks again,
jc

[Mad-ox]

Originally Posted by jctgf

hi,

thanks!

how to say if i want to address to more than one person?

"you ..."?

thanks again,
jc

you

singular

I
you
he
she
it

plural

we
you
they


Madox

[jctgf]

hi,

i am aware that grammatically we use you for plural and singular.

but, if you are in a group of people and want to address to 2 people, don't you need something else to be more specific?

if you simply say you, how to make clear that you are addressing to more than one person?

"you guys" is what i commonly hear on the movies. is that rude?

thanks,
jc

[Mad-ox]

It is impolite to say to a starnger 'guy'.

As baqarah131 mentioned: say just 'you'.

[Mad-ox]

Originally Posted by jctgf

if you simply say you, how to make clear that you are addressing to more than one person?

This may depend on the context and situation you are in. It does not come to my mind a concrete example but I'll let you know as soon as I find one.

[2006]

Originally Posted by jctgf

hi,

i am aware that grammatically we use you for plural and singular.

but, if you are in a group of people and want to address to (omit to here) 2 people, don't you need something else to be more specific?
When addressing 2 people, you can say 'either of you'.
For more than 2 people, you can say 'any of you'.
To emphasize everyone in the group, say 'all of you'.
if you simply say you, how to make clear that you are addressing to more than one person?



thanks,
jc

2006

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by jctgf

hi,

i am aware that grammatically we use you for plural and singular.

but, if you are in a group of people and want to address to 2 people, don't you need something else to be more specific?

if you simply say you, how to make clear that you are addressing to more than one person?

"you guys" is what i commonly hear on the movies. is that rude?

thanks,
jc

If it is a group of two, you could say "I would like both of you to work together." If there are more than two in the group, you could point to the individuals and say "I want you and you to help me move the furniture."
(It would be polite to call each by name if you know their names.)

Cheers,
Amigos4

[baqarah131]

The postings above cover the subject well.
I'd add only that the lack of separate forms for the plural and singular
"you" is a problem even for native speakers.
There are frequent misunderstandings because it's not clear who we're talking to.

best wishes to all of you
edward