That would be okay too.
Neither is very polite, of course.

Interested in Language
Hello! Here's my query......... If you ask, "Do you have to make so much noise?" you're asking "Is it necessary...?" So then, asking, "Do you need to make...?" would be also correct???Thanks!
That would be okay too.
Neither is very polite, of course.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.
Thank you!!![]()
"Neither is very polite of course" But given the circumstances, that other people are disturbing you with their noise, I think the tone is just right. What do we have to say? I'm sorry for interrupting, but do you think you could be ever so kind and try to make a little less noise?
At least with "Do you have to make so much noise" you are giving them the option to justify their actions![]()
As Barb rightly pointed out, "Do you have to make so much noise?" is not very polite. It is usually not intended to be polite, and it is not intended to give them the option to justifiy it.
You can be politer without going to the lengths you did. "Do you think you could keep the noise down a little, please?" is one of several options.
Last edited by 5jj; 08-Nov-2011 at 17:32. Reason: typo
I agree. The people may not realize they are being noisy, or just lost track of their circumstances. I see no reason not to take a polite approach first, and give them the benefit of the doubt.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.
You are right. I agree with you.
thanks for giving suggestion.
And less polite too. One of my favourite idioms among the many that refer to a past technology is 'Put a sock in it' ('it' being the horn of a wind-up gramophone* - putting a rolled-up piece of fabric (say, a sock) in it was the only way of controlling the volume.)
* http://www.scoreforaholeintheground....gramophone.jpg
b
Bookmarks