If someone asks a question and you want to tell them how to say it better, is there a way to do it without sounding cruel or mean?
2007-05-09 13:09:30 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
These answers are all so good, Thank you all so much. I think I will need help picking the BEST one!
2007-05-10 18:27:49 · update #1
Just tell me,because I know that my English is bad,but I am trying again and again.
You will not hurt my feelings!
I just can tell
THANKS !!!!!!!
2007-05-11 00:43:32 · answer #1 · answered by marija k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they asked you for help just be honest. If they didn't...that's a different story. Just use non-judgemental language without saying what they did wrong, but what is more accepted by English speakers. It's good to have a dictionary and style guide handy so you can point out some of the rules. I'm sure they would appreciate what you have to tell them.
2007-05-09 20:22:50 · answer #2 · answered by CC 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Try to restate their question using better English while answering at the same time.
For example, if someone asks, "Where does you buy that?" reply with, "Where did I buy this? I bought this as the department store."
Most people (or at least the ones I speak with) understand I corrected them without managing to draw away from the conversation to do so. If they frequently make mistakes, try to only select the ones that are really confusing to most natives and ignore the smaller, less important mistakes.
2007-05-09 20:16:52 · answer #3 · answered by Belie 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them what people told me in the past : "Your English is OK/good/very good, but if I were you, I would say ..."
2007-05-09 20:17:04 · answer #4 · answered by Erik Van Thienen 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't be arrogant, pompous or patronizing.
That's it, That's all there is to it.
All you have to do is genuinely care.
People pick up on that in a heartbeat.
.
2007-05-09 20:40:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋