Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > General Language Discussions

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 01-Aug-2003, 10:42
Sorin
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Polite forms exist in english grammar

I would like to know if the english grammar has polite forms for pronouns and verbs?
For example polite request like "Could you give me some tea" is concerning the grammar or is the conditional form of the verb "to give" and the english speakers use this for in order to formulate polite request.
I consider that is not a polite form, but rather a conditional that gives the requested person the freedom to choose ta execute the request or not.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 01-Aug-2003, 11:54
RonBee's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Country: USA
Posts: 13,009
Current Location: North Carolina
First Language: English
Thanks: 57
Thanked 672 Times in 605 Posts
RonBee is a splendid one to beholdRonBee is a splendid one to beholdRonBee is a splendid one to beholdRonBee is a splendid one to beholdRonBee is a splendid one to beholdRonBee is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: Polite forms exist in english grammar

Strictly speaking, English does not have polite forms for pornouns and verbs.
__________________
~R
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 01-Aug-2003, 22:36
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,130
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Thanks: 2
Thanked 242 Times in 232 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default

Because we don't have polite forms for pronouns, we often show politeness through our choice of tense. The past tense is used for this.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 10-Aug-2003, 23:47
Anonymous
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Polite forms exist in english grammar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sorin
I would like to know if the english grammar has polite forms for pronouns and verbs?
For example polite request like "Could you give me some tea" is concerning the grammar or is the conditional form of the verb "to give" and the english speakers use this for in order to formulate polite request.
I consider that is not a polite form, but rather a conditional that gives the requested person the freedom to choose ta execute the request or not.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 11-Aug-2003, 18:23
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,130
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Thanks: 2
Thanked 242 Times in 232 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default

By offering the choice, isn't it a form of politeness? The imperative doesn't give this choice.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
polite, forms, exist, english, grammar

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help zhangjin Ask a Teacher 22 29-Mar-2008 18:47
English grammar Anonymous Ask a Teacher 28 26-Apr-2007 17:51
english grammar Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 06-Oct-2004 13:16
usage of grammar in english Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 25-Jul-2004 13:32
what is the base of Grammar in English? Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 22-Jun-2004 08:04


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 02:34.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com