“Excuse me! - Bothering people
This one is a general collection of expressions to use when you must bother someone for ANY particular reason…
Such as…
…asking people to be quiet
…conversation openers
…permission and requests
…thanking and replying
…getting somebody’s attention
Asking people to be quiet
Less polite
- Shut up! [impolite]
- Quiet! / kwaöWt / Be quiet!
- Shh!
More polite
- Could you be quiet, please?
- Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?
- Sorry, have you got the time, please?
- I think we’ve met before, haven’t we?
- It’s really hot, isn’t it?
- Are you going all the way to San Francisco?
- Could I use your pen?
- Do you mind if I borrow your dictionary?
- (‘Do you mind if I…?’ means ‘Is it a problem for you if I…?’)
- Excuse me, have you got a moment?
- Sorry to bother you, but could I just ask you something?
- Excuse me, can you spare a minute or two?
- Excuse me, are you in a hurry?
- Sure.Go ahead.
- It depends what it is.
- Sorry, I’m late already.
Conversation openers
Permission and requests
Getting somebody’s attention