Professional Documents
Culture Documents
EXPRESSING
COMPLAINTS
What are complaints?
I'm afraid I've got a complaint about your child. He's too noisy .
I'm afraid there is a slight problem with the service in this hotel.
I'm really sorry; we'll do our utmost/best not to do the same mistake
again.
Negative response to complaints:
Sorry there is nothing we can do about it.
A negative structure
Well...
Well I don't think it's fair to make us pay extra for the airport
shuttle
Well I have to say that the service was pretty slow, so I don't
really feel like leaving a tip
Well, there was a cockroach in my room and the bathroom door
doesn't lock!
actually...
In a disagreement, 'actually' shows that you have a
different point of view from the person you are
speaking to or something unexpected to say
Technique Examples
You already know to say “Please”, “Thank you,” and “Excuse me” –
but here are many ways to make your English sound more polite!
“I want” sounds like a demand, as if you are commanding the other
person to fulfill your desires. “I’d like” is a more polite and diplomatic
phrase. When ordering food and drinks, we often use “I’ll have…”
Don’t say: Send me the report.
If a colleague approaches you at a bad time and you want the person to
leave, use the phrases in green. “Could you give me a minute?” is
for when you just need a few moments to finish up what you’re
working on, and then you’ll talk with the colleague.
It’s best to use a more indirect phrase when pointing out someone’s
mistake. “I think you might be mistaken” is a more humble phrase,
allowing for the possibility that you might be wrong about the other
person’s error, too!