下面（1）a-（5）a是不客气的话语；（1）b-（5）b则变为委婉：

　　（1） 你要什么？

　　a. What do you want?
　　b. Can I help you? / Is there anything I can do for you?/ Can I be of any help to you?

　　（2） 我想问你一个问题。

　　a. I want to ask you a question.
　　b. I would like to ask you a ques-tion./ May I ask you a question?

　　（3） 你遇见我的朋友吗？“Have you ever met my friend?”

　　a. No, I haven't.
　　b. I don't think I have./ I am afraid I have.

　　（4） 你想出去吗？“Would you like to go out?”

　　a. No, I wouldn't.
　　b. No, I don't think I would./ I don't think so.

　　（5） 你现在有空吗？“Are you free now?”

　　a. No, I am not.
　　b. I am afraid I have an appoint-ment this afternoon.

　　除了上述这些较固定的委婉口语之外，还有其他表示委婉的方法，如（6）b到（13）b：

　　（一）多用疑问句，如：

　　（6） a. Shut the door, please.
　　　　　b. Would you please shut the door?

　　（7） a. I suggest that you go?
　　　　　b. May I suggest that you go?

　　（二）多用情态动词（Modal verbs），特别是过去式，如：

　　（8） a. I want a cup of tea.
　　　　　b. I would like to have a cup of tea. / Could I have a cup of tea?

　　（9） a. I think you are making a mistake.
　　　　　b. I should have thought you were making a mistake.

　　（三）用动词的过去式，如：

　　（10） a. Do you want to see me?
　　　 　　b. Did you want to see me?

　　（11） a. I wonder if you will give me a hand?
　　　 　　b. I wondered if you would give me a hand?

　　（12） a. I will appreciate it if you can approve my application.
　　　 　　b. I would appreciate it if you could approve my application.

　　（13） a. I am wondering if you will give me some advice.
　　　 　　b. I was wondering if you would give me some advice.