No, thanks & That's very kind of you

[joham]

--How are you getting along with your cleaning? Do you need my help?
--______, but I think I'm all right.
A. No, thanks B. That's OK C. You are helpful D. That's very kind of you

The above comes from China's college entrance examination papers.
The given answer is D. But I would think A was all right. Am I right?

Could I ask native English teachers to help me? Thank you in advance.

 

[susiedqq]

How are you getting along with your cleaning? Do you need my help?

The key here is the word "but."

______, but I think I'm all right.


A. No, thanks B. That's OK C. You are helpful D. That's very kind of you

 

[joham]

How are you getting along with your cleaning? Do you need my help?

The key here is the word "but."

______, but I think I'm all right.


A. No, thanks B. That's OK C. You are helpful D. That's very kind of you

Thank you, susiedqq. I'm puzzled about the use of 'but':

--Could I borrow 'The Arabian Nights'?
--I'm sorry, but the book is out.
I thought 'I'm sorry' here was used to politely deny the borrower's request (as in my case to politely deny the offer with 'No,thanks'), and the 'but' was used to introduce the reason. Could you please explain further? Thank you again.

 

[Snowcake]

I'd like to seize the opportunity to ask a similiar question:

That's too kind of you. / You're too kind.

Is this expression used sarcastically?
Or does it depend on the context?

Sorry, Joham, I hope it's okay to add my question.

Thanks,
Snowcake

 

[joham]

I'd like to seize the opportunity to ask a similiar question:

That's too kind of you. / You're too kind.

Is this expression used sarcastically?
Or does it depend on the context?

Sorry, Joham, I hope it's okay to add my question.

Thanks,
Snowcake

Hi, Snowcake. I'd very much like to know the answer to your question, too. Thank you for your question.

Yours,
joham

 

[Snowcake]

Hello Joham,

thank you for you posting.

I've found this example in an English language magazine as follows:

'Happy Birthday. This is for you. It's just something small...

Oh! You're too kind.

Oh! Well, I told you it was small...'

It's pointed out here that you should use this phrase carefully.

Something like:

I left you some chocolate. - One piece? You're too kind.

Such embarrasing incidents are avoidable, but only if you are familiar with the usage of such phrases.

I like to use phrases like "That's too / so kind of you" in German, and there it has no touch of irony unless you have a subtle barb in your voice.

However, it could be the same in English? It's not what you say, but how you say it?!

Let's wait for native speakers commenting on it.

Regards,
Snowcake

 

[Quire]

It's not what you say, but how you say it?!

Absolutely. The most wonderful compliment can be horribly sarcastic if said in a particular way!

The inverse also applies. An insult can even be affectionate, if used in the correct company and with the right tone of voice.

- Q