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  #1  
Old 01-Aug-2003, 10:42
Sorin
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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.
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Old 01-Aug-2003, 11:54
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Default Re: Polite forms exist in english grammar

Strictly speaking, English does not have polite forms for pornouns and verbs.
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Old 01-Aug-2003, 22:36
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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.
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Old 10-Aug-2003, 23:47
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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.
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  #5  
Old 11-Aug-2003, 18:23
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By offering the choice, isn't it a form of politeness? The imperative doesn't give this choice.
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