eVM Core Expression Archive

Polite requests at work

• Would you be able to check the delivery status? - Polite request to check the delivery status.
• I might be running late. - I will be late.
• I am with you, but it is outside the plan. - Soft disagreement. Reason: it is outside the plan.

• Model: A: Would you be able to check the delivery status? B: Let me check and get back to you.
• Model: A: I might be running late. I can call you back. B: Thanks, I appreciate it.

• Answer as B: A: I am with you, but it is outside the plan. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Check the delivery status this afternoon. -> ____

Soft disagreement and alternatives

• Could you please call me back when you have a moment? - Polite request to call me back.
• Thanks for the heads-up. - Thanks for telling me early.
• I get it, but the room is not available. - Soft disagreement. Reason: the room is not available.

• Model: A: Could you please call me back when you have a moment? B: I can do it after lunch.
• Model: A: Thanks for the heads-up. I can switch the time. B: That is okay, we can reschedule.

• Answer as B: A: I get it, but the room is not available. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Call me back when you can. -> ____

Apologies and quick fixes

• Is there any chance you can approve the request? - Polite request to approve the request.
• Can we touch base? - Can we talk briefly?
• Maybe, but the budget is limited. - Soft disagreement. Reason: the budget is limited.

• Model: A: Is there any chance you can approve the request? B: No worries, I will take care of it.
• Model: A: Can we touch base? I will stop by later. B: Thanks for the update.

• Answer as B: A: Maybe, but the budget is limited. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Approve the request now. -> ____

Scheduling and planning

• Would it be possible to add a note to the file? - Polite request to add a note to the file.
• Just to clarify. - I want to make it clear.
• I hear you, but that might delay the order. - Soft disagreement. Reason: that might delay the order.

• Model: A: Would it be possible to add a note to the file? B: Thanks for letting me know.
• Model: A: Just to clarify. I will send a quick reply. B: I get it, things happen.

• Answer as B: A: I hear you, but that might delay the order. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Add a note to the file today. -> ____

Follow-ups and reminders

• Could I ask you to open a ticket? - Polite request to open a ticket.
• I did not mean it like that. - I did not want to sound rude.
• I am not sure that will work because we need a second opinion. - Soft disagreement. Reason: we need a second opinion.

• Model: A: Could I ask you to open a ticket? B: I will follow up today.
• Model: A: I did not mean it like that. I will confirm soon. B: No worries, we can fix it.

• Answer as B: A: I am not sure that will work because we need a second opinion. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Open a ticket this afternoon. -> ____

Workplace updates

• Do you mind if I set up a time? - Polite request to set up a time.
• I will keep you posted. - I will update you.
• That makes sense, but the store is closing soon. - Soft disagreement. Reason: the store is closing soon.

• Model: A: Do you mind if I set up a time? B: That makes sense, I can adjust.
• Model: A: I will keep you posted. I can stay late. B: Thanks for telling me.

• Answer as B: A: That makes sense, but the store is closing soon. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Set up a time when you can. -> ____

Social reactions and empathy

• When you have time, could you confirm the pickup? - Polite request to confirm the pickup.
• I am not sure about that. - I politely disagree.
• I see your point, but the doctor is not available. - Soft disagreement. Reason: the doctor is not available.

• Model: A: When you have time, could you confirm the pickup? B: I appreciate the heads-up.
• Model: A: I am not sure about that. Let us plan a new time. B: Thanks, I appreciate it.

• Answer as B: A: I see your point, but the doctor is not available. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Confirm the pickup now. -> ____

Misunderstandings and clarification

• I was hoping to pause the service. - Polite request to pause the service.
• Let me think it over. - I will consider it.
• I am with you, but we already sent it. - Soft disagreement. Reason: we already sent it.

• Model: A: I was hoping to pause the service. B: Sure, I can do that.
• Model: A: Let me think it over. Thanks for checking. B: That is okay, we can reschedule.

• Answer as B: A: I am with you, but we already sent it. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Pause the service today. -> ____

Feelings and tone

• I was wondering if you could check the balance. - Polite request to check the balance.
• No worries. - It is okay.
• I get it, but I am already booked. - Soft disagreement. Reason: I am already booked.

• Model: A: I was wondering if you could check the balance. B: Let me check and get back to you.
• Model: A: No worries. I will call after 5. B: Thanks for the update.

• Answer as B: A: I get it, but I am already booked. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Check the balance this afternoon. -> ____

Complaints and solutions

• Would you be able to add an extra seat? - Polite request to add an extra seat.
• Could you do me a favor? - Please help me.
• Maybe, but it could cause a mistake. - Soft disagreement. Reason: it could cause a mistake.

• Model: A: Would you be able to add an extra seat? B: I can do it after lunch.
• Model: A: Could you do me a favor? I appreciate the heads-up. B: I get it, things happen.

• Answer as B: A: Maybe, but it could cause a mistake. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Add an extra seat when you can. -> ____

Offers and help

• Could you please check the policy when you have a moment? - Polite request to check the policy.
• I am tied up right now. - I am busy now.
• I hear you, but we need a signature. - Soft disagreement. Reason: we need a signature.

• Model: A: Could you please check the policy when you have a moment? B: No worries, I will take care of it.
• Model: A: I am tied up right now. Let me get back to you. B: No worries, we can fix it.

• Answer as B: A: I hear you, but we need a signature. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Check the policy now. -> ____

Phone calls and voicemail

• Is there any chance you can set up direct deposit? - Polite request to set up direct deposit.
• I am swamped. - I am very busy.
• I am not sure that will work because the system is down. - Soft disagreement. Reason: the system is down.

• Model: A: Is there any chance you can set up direct deposit? B: Thanks for letting me know.
• Model: A: I am swamped. I can help with that. B: Thanks for telling me.

• Answer as B: A: I am not sure that will work because the system is down. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Set up direct deposit today. -> ____

Meeting changes

• Would it be possible to move the pickup time? - Polite request to move the pickup time.
• I will take a rain check. - I cannot do it now.
• That makes sense, but it is after the deadline. - Soft disagreement. Reason: it is after the deadline.

• Model: A: Would it be possible to move the pickup time? B: I will follow up today.
• Model: A: I will take a rain check. Thanks for letting me know. B: Thanks, I appreciate it.

• Answer as B: A: That makes sense, but it is after the deadline. B: ____.
• Rewrite to sound more polite: Move the pickup time this afternoon. -> ____