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.

• Sample: Hi Sam, Would you be able to check the delivery status? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I might be running late. I can call you back. I will check the delivery status Friday morning.

• Write a short reply to: Would you be able to check the delivery status?
• Write a polite message to check the delivery status.

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.

• Sample: Hi Riley, Could you please call me back when you have a moment? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, Thanks for the heads-up. I can switch the time. I will call me back this afternoon.

• Write a short reply to: Could you please call me back when you have a moment?
• Write a polite message to call me back.

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.

• Sample: Hi Casey, Is there any chance you can approve the request? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, Can we touch base? I will stop by later. I will approve the request this evening.

• Write a short reply to: Is there any chance you can approve the request?
• Write a polite message to approve the request.

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.

• Sample: Hi Jordan, Would it be possible to add a note to the file? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, Just to clarify. I will send a quick reply. I will add a note to the file after lunch.

• Write a short reply to: Would it be possible to add a note to the file?
• Write a polite message to add a note to the file.

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.

• Sample: Hi Taylor, Could I ask you to open a ticket? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I did not mean it like that. I will confirm soon. I will open a ticket tomorrow morning.

• Write a short reply to: Could I ask you to open a ticket?
• Write a polite message to open a ticket.

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.

• Sample: Hi Morgan, Do you mind if I set up a time? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I will keep you posted. I can stay late. I will set up a time by the end of the day.

• Write a short reply to: Do you mind if I set up a time?
• Write a polite message to set up a time.

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.

• Sample: Hi Alex, When you have time, could you confirm the pickup? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I am not sure about that. Let us plan a new time. I will confirm the pickup before 5.

• Write a short reply to: When you have time, could you confirm the pickup?
• Write a polite message to confirm the pickup.

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.

• Sample: Hi Sam, I was hoping to pause the service. Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, Let me think it over. Thanks for checking. I will pause the service today.

• Write a short reply to: I was hoping to pause the service.
• Write a polite message to pause the service.

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.

• Sample: Hi Riley, I was wondering if you could check the balance. Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, No worries. I will call after 5. I will check the balance Friday morning.

• Write a short reply to: I was wondering if you could check the balance.
• Write a polite message to check the balance.

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.

• Sample: Hi Casey, Would you be able to add an extra seat? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, Could you do me a favor? I appreciate the heads-up. I will add an extra seat this afternoon.

• Write a short reply to: Would you be able to add an extra seat?
• Write a polite message to add an extra seat.

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.

• Sample: Hi Jordan, Could you please check the policy when you have a moment? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I am tied up right now. Let me get back to you. I will check the policy this evening.

• Write a short reply to: Could you please check the policy when you have a moment?
• Write a polite message to check the policy.

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.

• Sample: Hi Taylor, Is there any chance you can set up direct deposit? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I am swamped. I can help with that. I will set up direct deposit after lunch.

• Write a short reply to: Is there any chance you can set up direct deposit?
• Write a polite message to set up direct deposit.

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.

• Sample: Hi Morgan, Would it be possible to move the pickup time? Thanks.
• Sample: Sorry, I will take a rain check. Thanks for letting me know. I will move the pickup time tomorrow morning.

• Write a short reply to: Would it be possible to move the pickup time?
• Write a polite message to move the pickup time.