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 question./ 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 appointment 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.