격식있는 영어표현

한글을 모국어로 쓰는 우리는 참 행복한 사람입니다. 전세계적으로  영어가 15억명이 사용하고 중국어가 12억명이라고 합니다. 하지만 세계의 많은 언어학자들의 공통적으로 베스트라고 가리키는 언어가 한글이기에 내가 직접 선택한 것은 아니지만 행운이라고 생각합니다. 맨 처음 영어권에 살면서 '이게 말이돼?' 했던 것이 자신을 직접 낳아준 부모에게만 Mom and Dad라고 할 뿐 모든 사람을 그저 이름으로 부른다고 하는 것이 너무 어색했었던 기억이 있습니다. 하지만 영어에도 엄면히 예의를 갖춘 표현이 따로 있습니다.

오늘은 정중한 표현과 일반적인 표현에 대해서 알아 보도록 하겠습니다.

Polite expression	Impolite expression
Would you mind if I smoke?	Can I smoke here?
Would it be alright if I tried this shirt on?	Can I try this on?
I wonder if I might use your phone?	Can I use your phone?
I was wondering if you could help me?	Can you help me?
Would you mind opening the door?	Can you open the door?
Could you come here?	Come here.
Do you mind if I take your business card?	Do you have a business card?
How about trying some of this food?	Eat some of this food.
Excuse me, could you tell me the time, please?	What time is it?

 

Polite expression	Impolite expression
Excuse me, Would you know where the toilet is located?	Where is the toilet?
Could you clarify a little bit, please?	Why is that?
Yes, please!	Yes.
I didn't understand this point.	You didn't explain this point.
Perhaps I'm not making myself clear.	You don't understand me.
You may need to improve this skill.	You need to improve this skill.
I'm not quite satisfied with this design.	Your design isn't good.
I'll have a coffee, please?	I want coffee.
Sorry, I'm a bit busy right now.	Leave me alone.

 

Polite expression	Impolite expression
Would you mind moving your car, please?	Move your car.
No, thanks.	No
I'm afraid not.	No
Could you repeat that please?	Repeat that.
Could you send me the picture?	Send me the picture.
Can we talk a little later?	Go away!
His performance was not good.	His performance was terrible.
I don't really like that, I'm afraid.	I don't like it.
I'd prefer to use a different color in this picture.	I don't like the colors in this picture.

 

Polite expression	Impolite expression
I'm not very fond of this song?	I hate this song.
Would you lend me a pencil, please?	I need a pencil.
I'm not so sure that's a good idea?	That's a bad idea.
Could you please send me the report?	Send me the report.
Take/ Have a seat, please.	Sit down, please.
Let me know when you're available.	Tell me when you're available.
This report is not really up to standard.	This report is awful.
Would you mind turning down the voice, please?	Turn the voice down.
Can you hold, please?	Wait

 

 

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Examples of formal and informal English phrases. 

Formal	Informal
I'd like to remind you that ...	Don't forget ...
I really appreciate it.	Thanks
It is my opinion that ...	I think ...
It is recommended ...	We recommended ...
Please accept our apologies for ...	Sorry ...
Your arrival	When you get here
We would like to ...	We want to ...
Would you like me to ...?	Shall I ...?
To consider ...	To think about ...

 

Formal	Informal
To distinguish ...	To tell the difference ...
This will be of great benefit to you.	It will do you good.
Please let me know your requirements.	What do you need?
I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.	Write back soon.
We can assist in the resolution of this matter.	I can help you to solve this problem.
How do you do?	What's up?
It is a pleasure to meet you.	Nice to meet you.
At your earliest convenience.	As soon as possible.
Concerned about you	Worried about you

 

Formal	Informal
Firstly	To start with
Give my regards to ...	Say hello to ...
Have you heard from her lately?	Any news from her?
Have you seen Chris?	Seen Chris?

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영어회화나 문장에서 강조할 때 사용하는 'very'를 많이 사용하지만 native speaker들은 단순하게 'very'만 사용하지 않고 문장이나 표현에 적당한 단어를 사용하는 것을 듣거나 보게 됩니다. 여기 유용한 대체 단어가 있으니 상요해보시기 바랍니다.

DON'T SAY ...	SAY ...	DON'T SAY ...	SAY ...
very angry	furious	very intelligent	brilliant
very bad	awful	very interesting	fascinating
very careful	cautious	very large	huge
very clean	spotless	very little	tiny
very confused	perplexed	very long	extensive
very clear	obvious	very nervous	apprehensive
very creative	innovative	very often	frequently
very dirty	filthy	very rich	weathy

 

DON'T SAY ...	SAY ...	DON'T SAY ...	SAY ...
very exited	thrilled	very simple	basic
very frightening	terrifying	very short	brief
very funny	hilarious, amusing	very tired	exhausted
very good	excellent	very upset	distressed, distraught
very hard	difficult	very warm	hot
very Hungry	starving	very wet	soaked
very willing	eager