English - Lesson 6 of 139: Politeness

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Can I ___, please?

making a polite request for oneself

Meaning: Use this to make a polite request for yourself.

When to use: Use it when you want something or want permission. Examples: “Can I have some water, please?” “Can I sit here, please?”

Tip: Remember to add the action or thing after “Can I.” Say: “Can I have a pen, please?” not just “Can I, please?”

Can I have some water, please?

I want water, and I ask politely.

Can I sit here, please?

I ask for permission to sit here.

Thanks for ___.

thanking someone for a specific thing

Meaning: Use this to thank someone for a specific thing or action.

When to use: Use it when someone helps you, gives you something, or does something kind. Examples: “Thanks for your help.” “Thanks for waiting.”

Tip: After “Thanks for,” use a noun or an -ing verb: “Thanks for the coffee” or “Thanks for helping.”

Thanks for your help.

I thank someone because they helped me.

Thanks for waiting.

I thank someone because they waited.

Just a moment, please.

asking someone to wait briefly

Meaning: Use this to ask someone to wait for a short time.

When to use: Use it when you need a few seconds or one minute. Examples: “Just a moment, please. I’m looking.” “Just a moment, please. I’ll get it.”

Just a moment, please. I’m looking.

Please wait briefly while I look.

Just a moment, please. I’ll get it.

Please wait briefly while I get something.

Here you go.

giving something to someone politely

Meaning: Use this when you give or hand something to someone.

When to use: Use it when passing a phone, ticket, bag, drink, or other item. Examples: “Here you go. Your coffee.” “Here you go. This is your pen.”

Here you go. Your coffee.

I give someone their coffee politely.

Here you go. This is your pen.

I give someone a pen politely.

Don't worry.

reassuring someone after a small problem or apology

Meaning: Use this to tell someone a small problem is not serious.

When to use: Use it after an apology or small mistake. Examples: “Don’t worry. It’s okay.” “Don’t worry. I can wait.”

Tip: Use this for small problems. For serious problems, use more careful words like “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Don’t worry. It’s okay.

I reassure someone after a small problem.

Don’t worry. I can wait.

I tell someone the delay is not a problem.

Is that okay?

Ask if something is acceptable

Meaning: Use this to ask if something is acceptable or fine.

When to use: Use it when you want to check permission or agreement. Examples: “I’ll sit here. Is that okay?” “I can come at five. Is that okay?”

I’ll sit here. Is that okay?

I check if sitting here is acceptable.

I can come at five. Is that okay?

I check if the time is acceptable.

English - Politeness

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

You want a glass of water. Which phrase is polite?

Someone gives you a pen. What can you say?

You need a short time to find your ticket. What do you say?

You want to check if sitting near Anna is fine. What do you say?

Anna is at a café counter. She wants tea, so she says: “Can I have tea, please?”

David is looking for the key. Anna is waiting. David says: “Just a moment, please. I’m checking my bag.”

Anna accidentally drops David’s napkin and says sorry. David smiles and says: “Don’t worry. It’s okay.”

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice