Distancing by modals
Interpersonal use of modals could, would, might is characteristic of quite a number of set formulae (also known as common formulae of politeness). It is the use of modals that makes requests and offers, instructions and orders etc. more indirect suggesting the idea of their being merely intentions.
Distancing modals
| could, would, might | ||
| question formulae, | conditional expressions | subjunctive expressions |
| verbal structures |
The tactics are quite common for the following functions:
requesting, offering, enquiring, suggesting, advising, ordering / instructing, expressing desire / opinion etc.
Using modals in set phrases
Consider the examples below illustrating the use of modals in set question formulae and verbal structures as another distancing technique. Think of more examples possible for some other functions of English.
| Functions | Examples |
| requesting | Will you lend me your printer? |
| Could / would you lend me your printer? | |
| inviting an opinion | Is it alright to do it this way? |
| Might it be alright to do it this way? | |
| enquiring | You're not going to Hull by any chance? |
| You wouldn 't go to Hull by any chance? | |
| When did it take place? | |
| When would that have taken place? | |
| suggesting | Let's give them a lift. |
| Suppose we might give them a lift? |
| advising | You should /must warn them in advance. |
| You could/might warn them in advance. | |
| offering | I think he'll spend a night here. |
| I'd think he could /might spend a night here. | |
| expressing surprise | He won? I thought he wasn't good at chess. |
| I 'd have thought he wasn't good at chess. | |
| expressing a / an (critical) opinion | I say, this is not the best way to treat cats. |
| I’d say this is not the best way to treat cats. | |
| stating intentions | He wants to make an opening speech. |
| He'd like to make an opening speech. | |
| stating desire / preferences | I want /need a cup of strong coffee. |
| I’d like /prefer a cup of strong coffee. | |
| refusing an enquiry | I won't tell you offhand, I'm afraid. |
| I couldn 't tell you offhand, I'm afraid |
Using modals in conditional and subjunctive phrases
Consider the examples below illustrating the use of modals in conditional and subjunctive expressions as still another means of distancing. Think of more examples possible for some other functions of English.
| Functions | Examples |
| enquiring /offering | I wonder if you are interested in those facts. |
| I wonder if you might be interested in those facts. | |
| enquiring /inviting | Are you going to be free for lunch? |
| Would you be free for lunch? | |
| suggesting /advising | You should join up with this firm. |
| If I were you I'd join up with this firm. | |
| Let him /He should go there alone | |
| It would be better if he went there alone. | |
| ordering /instructing | Will you stand over there? |
| If you would stand over there? | |
| ordering /refusing an order | Don't refer to those data. |
| I'd rather you didn't refer to those data. | |
| refusing permission | You mustn't /shouldn't disclose those facts. |
| I wish you wouldn 't disclose those facts |
Task 3. Make the following sentences more polite (indirect). (Choose any 5 sentences).
1. Let's have an evening out.
2. I say, let's go to a restaurant downtown.
3. I don't want you to spend a fortune there.
4. You shouldn't talk in terms of money.
5. I should suggest a bar.
6. We should better go to a cafe.
7. 1 thought you didn't like cafe meals.
8. We want a table in the corner.
9. Will you come this way, please?
10. What do you want to drink?
11. Perhaps you want to dance?
12. Won't it be better to have the candles lit?
13. That's what I call in time, as the French say.
14. Is there a telephone I can use?
15. Maybe you've picked up any lost purses?
16. Can you give me more details?
17. When did you find it missing, exactly?
Task 4. Write a brief note / letter to
a) a shop selling the items you're interested in to inquire about necessary details;
B) a friend working in a tourist firm describing a way of spending free time you prefer.
Downtoning information
Language review
Hinting is aimed at "neutralising" emotionally coloured utterances thus making them sound casual and less direct. The result desired could be achieved by using understatement (i.e. saying less than you imply). Understatement could be effected by the tactics of downtoning and negation. Information could be toned down by means of certain speech devices - adverbs, verbs and fillers - lessening or softening the impact of what is being said.
Downtoning devices
| minimising adverbs, and assertive words | fillers and hesitation devices | verbs of intention also with a) fillers b) vbs of thinking |
The tactics is quite common for the following functions: explanations, complaints, (negative) opinions, apologies etc.
