LESSON 4

7. Apologizing
Apologizing is an acknowledgment expressing regret or asking pardon for a fault
or offense. Each culture has different apologies, for example in Japan an apology is seen
as a virtue and coupled with a bow and the British take apologizing very seriously and
have a variety of meanings.  To apologize effectively, you should control your emotions,
stay humble, and focus on the experience of the other person.
The basic elements of an apology communicate:
 that the person apologizing was, in some way, responsible for the harmful actions
taken;
 that the person apologizing is aware of harms that resulted from those actions; and
 that the person apologizing intends to behave differently in the future.
Expression:   
 I do apologize for…
 I’m sorry that…
 It’s my fault.
 I’m really sorry
 Please accept our apologies
 Please forgive me for…
 Excuse me for …
Responses:
 Don't be sorry. It's a wise way to learn through mistakes
 Don't feel sorry. Make sure you don't repeat it from your end.
 Never mind
 Don’t worry about it
 Forget about it
 That’s OK
 It doesn’t matter
 No need to apologize
8. Invitations
Invitation is a written or spoken request for someone to go somewhere or to do
something. There are two main types of invitations: definite and indefinite. Definite is an
invitation with a specific time and place, indefinite is a general invitation There are two
main types of invitations: definite and indefinite. Definite is an invitation that gives a
specific time and place, indefinite is a general invitation of unknown time or place.
 Definite: Would you like to have dinner at my house tonight? 
 Indefinite: Do you want to go to the cinema?
In addition, the invitations in different cases will be different. For example, formal
invitations are usually used from institutes, companies and a kind of it; Informal
invitations are often used with relatives and friends.
Expression:
  I would like you to come to …
 I wonder if you would like to…
 Would you like to…?
 I would like to invite you to…
 Do you want to…?
Accepting: 
 Thanks, it sounds great.
 Thanks for thinking of us.
 Yes, i’d love to.
Rejecting:
 I’m really sorry because I can’t come.
 Sorry, I’m really busy.
 I’m afraid that I can’t, but thanks.
 It’s nice of you to ask a bit honestly, I really can’t.
 Thanks for thinking of me/us, but I have something else going on that day.
 Sorry, I have other plans. I’ll definitely go next time!
 I wish I could make it, but I can’t.
 Sorry, I appreciate the invitation, but I won’t be able to go.
9. Requesting
Requesting is the act of asking something to be given or done, especially as a
favor or courtesy, solicitation or petition. There are 2 types of requests: formal and
informal.
Formal:
 Would you + ….
 Could you please + …
 Would you possibly/kindly +…
 Would/Do you mind + Ving…
 Would you be so kind as to + V
Informal:
 Will you + …
 Can you + …
How to response:
 Agree: Yes, i’d love to/ It’s my pleasure/ Of course/ No problem
 Disagree: I’m afraid that.../ I’m sorry but.../ Sorry I can’t
Difference:
 In US, Indirect requests are often used. The politeness level makes it easier for
listeners to accept and not feel so stressful when requested
 In Vietnam, people often use direct sentences to make a request. Direct requesting
sentences makes people sometimes feel
forced, losing privacy, antipathy
Taboo in requesting: Just using ‘Please’ to ask someone to do something can sound a
little rude and upset people.