Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1..............., the report was produced under severe time pressure, but several figures still need checking.
Wrong!
"To be fair" softens the criticism by acknowledging a mitigating point before the negative comment.
2..............., but postponing the launch would create more problems than it solves.
Wrong!
"I take your point" acknowledges the other person's view before introducing a polite disagreement with "but".
3..............., rather dismissive, which is why the client reacted so defensively.
Wrong!
"It may have come across as" saves face by describing an impression rather than directly accusing the person.
4..............., the deadline was moved to Thursday, not Friday.
Wrong!
"If I'm not mistaken" makes the correction tentative and polite, reducing the risk of embarrassing the other person.
5Before the board meeting, ............... reconsider how much detail you include about the delay.
Wrong!
"You may want to" presents advice as an option, which is more face-saving than a command.
6..............., I meant the figures were provisional, not approved.
Wrong!
"Perhaps I should clarify" lets the speaker correct a misunderstanding without blaming the listener.
7..............., attend the dinner, as I am already committed to another event that evening.
Wrong!
"I'm afraid I can't" is a conventional face-saving way to refuse before giving a reason.
8I'm sorry, but ............... about which version was meant for circulation.
Wrong!
"There seems to have been a misunderstanding" avoids directly blaming the listener for the error.
9..............., reviewing the wording before we send it to the whole department.
Wrong!
"It might be worth" makes the proposal tentative and collaborative rather than absolute.
10..............., I don't think the comparison with last year's results is entirely valid.
Wrong!
"With respect" signals disagreement while maintaining formal politeness.
11The draft is ............... where it needs to be yet, so let's give it another round of revision.
Wrong!
"not quite" softens the negative evaluation by making it less absolute.
12..............., we describe the setback as a scheduling issue rather than a failure of planning?
Wrong!
"May I suggest" asks permission and frames the point as a suggestion, which helps preserve the other person's face.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- To be fair, the report was produced under severe time pressure, but several figures still need checking.
- I take your point, but postponing the launch would create more problems than it solves.
- It may have come across as, rather dismissive, which is why the client reacted so defensively.
- If I’m not mistaken, the deadline was moved to Thursday, not Friday.
- Before the board meeting, You may want to reconsider how much detail you include about the delay.
- Perhaps I should clarify, I meant the figures were provisional, not approved.
- I’m afraid I can’t, attend the dinner, as I am already committed to another event that evening.
- I’m sorry, but There seems to have been a misunderstanding about which version was meant for circulation.
- It might be worth, reviewing the wording before we send it to the whole department.
- With respect, I don’t think the comparison with last year’s results is entirely valid.
- The draft is not quite where it needs to be yet, so let’s give it another round of revision.
- May I suggest, we describe the setback as a scheduling issue rather than a failure of planning?
