Well, "restroom" is what's called a "euphemism," which is a softer word used instead of one that may be too direct or unpleasant. Since baths are private, people often prefer to use "rest" to make conversations more comfortable.

Euphemisms are very common, even if you don't realize it. This article will introduce 19 terms you can use when the alternative isn't quite what you want to say.

Cheap >> Inexpensive

"Cheap" often has a negative nuance. In addition to a low price, it can also suggest that something is of low quality. A more positive alternative is "inexpensive."

• This hotel is inexpensive, but it offers good value with an excellent location.

Stingy >> Frugal

Did you know that "cheap" can also describe people? People who are cheap, or "stingy," do not like spending money. Instead, they try to keep as much of it as they can.

However, the adjective "frugal" is a positive way to describe someone who uses their money carefully and thoughtfully.

• Cooking his own meals at home is one way Ken keeps his lifestyle frugal.

The adverb form is "frugally."

• Carol decorated her apartment very frugally, but it still looks great.

Old (people) >> Elderly / Senior Citizen

When talking about people, "old" is generally considered to be rude. To refer to older people, you can say "elderly" or "senior citizen(s)." 

• This is a care home for the elderly.

• I saw him speaking with an elderly woman with a cane.

• My uncle is pretty active for a senior citizen.

Old (things) >> Vintage / Classic

What if you're talking about old objects instead of people? Try using "vintage" or "classic."

• The flea market has a lot of vintage items that are difficult to find anywhere else.

• Lots of classic cars were parked in the large garage.

In some cases, people use these alternatives sarcastically, so be sure to listen to the speaker's tone carefully.

• His closet was full of lots of … vintage clothes.

Used >> Pre-owned / Pre-loved

"Vintage" can be used to describe used items too. However, you can also say "pre-owned" and even "pre-loved," which is more casual. 

• I have a pre-owned car for sale, if you're interested.

• Visit our store to browse lots of pre-loved items looking for a new home!

Weird >> Eccentric / Unique

"Weird" is a very direct way to say "unusual." It doesn't always have a negative nuance, but it doesn't sound especially positive, either.

If you'd like to describe something that is not typical in a positive way, use "eccentric" or even "unique." "Eccentric" is best for people and the things related to them, such as fashion or tastes. "Unique" can be used more generally.

• My neighbor is pretty eccentric. His style and taste in music are very different from anyone else I know.

A

What did you think of the art at the exhibition?

B

It was pretty unique. I've never seen anything like it before.

For even more words you can use to talk about something unusual, have a look at our article 'How Many Different Ways Can You Say "Weird"?'

Rich >> Comfortable / Well-off

"Rich" is not exactly a negative word; having a lot of money is generally a very positive thing! However, calling someone else or even yourself "rich" is very bold since people like to be more vague when discussing money.

Instead, try using the words "comfortable" or "well-off." "Comfortable" isn't exactly the same as "rich," but it does suggest that someone has no worries related to money.

A

Does your job pay you a high salary?

B

Well, let's just say that I'm comfortable.

• He never talks about how much he makes, but it's obvious from his house and clothes that he's well-off. 

Poor >> Low-income / Underprivileged

The opposite of "rich" is "poor," which is definitely not a positive term. It is often switched for "low-income" or "underprivileged."

• The increase of the minimum wage was great news for low-income workers around the country.

• Despite coming from an underprivileged family, he was able to become a big success.

Die >> Pass away

For most people, death is a very uncomfortable topic. Also, the word "die" is quite direct and harsh. It is common to instead use "pass away."

• My grandmother passed away when I was very young.

Small >> Cozy

When talking about spaces, some people think "small" sounds negative — after all, wouldn't you rather have a large room instead of a small one?

Using "cozy," however, makes a small space sound more comfortable and pleasant.

• Jenny's decoration skills turned a tiny room into a very cozy space to relax.

• The local cafe is a cozy place where people in the neighborhood like to gather and talk.

Damage >> Imperfections

When shopping, especially for used items, you will come across many products that have scratches, dents and other kinds of damage. Rather than use these negative words, however, you may see tags mentioning "imperfections."

• Because of the item's imperfections, we can offer you a nice discount.

Plain >> Simple / Understated

Even though "plain" is actually a neutral word, its nuance can include "boring" or "unexciting."

If something is not fancy or detailed, you can instead use "simple" or "understated" to give it a more positive feeling.

• The hotel rooms were simple and clean.

• Ashley has a very understated sense of style. She likes simple, comfortable clothes.

Wrap-up

One of the benefits of having a large vocabulary is that it gives you choices to express yourself; if there is something you'd like to say in a slightly different way, you have several options available to use!

If you found this list helpful, be sure to also read our article on body types, which introduces many polite ways to refer to people of different sizes and shapes: 16 Words for Describing Different Body Types.

And finally, be careful of words that sound negative but actually have a positive meaning!

The post "Old" or "Vintage"? Saying Negative Things in a Positive Way appeared first on Engoo Blog.

For example, if you use it to explain to a coworker why you can’t take their call or attend a meeting, it can sound rude and even a bit unprofessional.

If you want a safer option, listed below are 10 English expressions that will communicate the same idea in a much better way.

I’m tied up.

Think of each task you need to work on as a rope. Each time you take on a new task, another rope is tied around you until you’re all “tied up” and not free to work on anything else.

• I’m all tied up with this project. Try asking Janet for help.
• Sorry I was unable to return your call today. I was tied up in meetings all day.

I’m preoccupied.

Imagine someone knocking on your office door while you’re having a meeting. Or imagine getting a call while you’re driving to work. In either case, you can say you're “preoccupied” because you are already (“pre-”) occupied (busy doing something).

• Sorry, I’m a little preoccupied at the moment. Can I call you back later?
• No worries about the late reply. I understand you’re preoccupied with more urgent matters at the moment.

I have a lot on my plate.

If your plate is full, there’s no room for you to put more food on it. In terms of work (and even daily life), this means you can’t accept any more tasks.

• I’d love to help, but I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.
• That’s a nice idea, but our team already has so much on our plate, I don’t think we’ll be able to work on it until at least next year.

I don't have the bandwidth.

“Bandwidth” is a technical term that has become a popular way to talk about the time and energy needed for work. However, it's mostly used in negative sentences.

• I wish I could take care of this now, but I don't have the bandwidth at the moment. Sorry!
• I don't have the bandwidth to handle that right now. You could try asking me about it again next month.

I’m juggling a lot right now.

“Juggling” takes a lot of energy and focus to do right. After all, you don't want to make a mistake and drop anything! This idea also applies to handling a lot of tasks at the same time.

• I’d love to help, but I’m juggling two jobs while also taking care of my newborn son. Sorry!
• I can make some time for lessons with my tutor even though I'm juggling a lot of stuff at the moment.

I’m spread (pretty) thin.

If you only have a little butter to spread on a piece of toast, it will become a very thin layer of butter. So if you’re “spread thin,” it means you’re spreading your limited time and energy among a lot of tasks.

• I’m afraid I can’t take on another commitment this semester. I’ve already spread myself too thin with two part-time jobs and extra classes.
• I realize that your team's resources are spread thin at the moment, but please do keep this initiative in mind.

Related article: Essential English Vocabulary for Cooking

I'm up to my ears. 

Think of a pile of work documents that is stacked from the floor all the way up to your ears! 

• It feels like I’m always up to my ears in paperwork. I need a break!
• We’ll be up to our ears in work before the holiday season.

You can use this expression for many situations. For example, you can be up to your ears in laundry (if you haven’t washed your clothes in a while) or debt (if there is a lot of money you need to pay off). 

I’m buried in work.

Imagine you’re buried in piles and piles of work and you can’t escape.

• Two of our team members are out sick, so we’re really buried in work this week.
• There’s no way I can take a vacation right now. I’m buried in deadlines.

People also say “I’m drowning (in work)” or “I’m snowed under (with work).”

I’m swamped.

It’s easy to get stuck in a swamp — or even sink into one! Similarly, if you’re “swamped” with work, it's like you have so much that you cannot move.

• We’re launching our marketing campaign this week, so I'm really swamped. But starting on Sunday, I'll be quite free.
• It’s my first day back at work, so I’m swamped. Can I get back to you on this next week?

Things are really hectic.

“Hectic” means that there are a lot of things going on that are difficult to organize or control.

• My schedule is quite hectic these days, but let’s catch up next time you’re here.
• I realize things are really hectic for you this time of year, but I must remind you that your payments are weeks overdue.

Keep in mind that you can’t say “I’m hectic.” “Hectic” describes a schedule, your life and things in your life. It can also describe periods of time (“It’s been a hectic day” or “This week has been hectic”). However, it is not used to describe people.

Wrap-up

Even if you have very little time for new tasks, you can still let others know in a polite way. The phrases we’ve introduced here may seem quite casual, but they are all common in professional situations. However, it is still a good idea to be careful using them with your boss or others with a higher position than your own.

Once you can use these phrases well, the following article will help you learn ways to simply say “No” in informal situations: "No way, José!" Other Ways to Say "No"

The post 10 Ways to Say You’re Busy Without Being Rude [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

So what can you do?

Luckily, there are a few expressions you can use to communicate your rush without sounding impolite. Memorize them so you’ll be ready when the clock is ticking!

As quickly as you can

The first expression on our list is a direct but soft way to say you need something quickly. Don’t forget to use “please”!

I’d appreciate it if you could hurry

Using “appreciate” shows that you are thanking the person for moving quickly. Expressions like this are mostly used when speaking to someone with a lower rank or position.

In order to make sure this is expressed in a friendly way, you’ll need to have a polite tone of voice and facial expression.

Adding a “thank you” after the other person’s response will also help the communication stay friendly and polite.

If it’s not too much trouble

You can say this any time you ask someone to do something for you. It expresses that you are only making a request, not making a demand.

I’m sorry to rush you

A great way to make an urgent request more polite is by apologizing for it.

It would be great if ~

This expression communicates that you would like something done quickly but without putting too much pressure on the other person. Therefore, if it is very important that something be done by a certain time, you should use a different expression.

You can replace "great" with other positive adjectives, such as "fantastic" or "awesome."

I’ll need that soon

This expression is a bit more direct than the others we’ve listed so far. Again, it’s best if you have a higher position than the person you’re speaking with, but you can combine it with some other expressions to make it sound softer.

ASAP

This is a common acronym that is short for “as soon as possible.” It is also the most direct way to request something quickly on our list. Combine it with an apology to make it softer.

This is a priority

A priority is something that is more important than other things. In both work and everyday situations, priority tasks are completed before everything else.

You can also use the verb form “prioritize.”

Wrap-up

Addressing people with respect and politeness is necessary for keeping good relationships with your colleagues. This is true even in urgent situations.

Use the expressions introduced here along with a polite tone of voice and a smile to help you get what you need while keeping your relationships healthy and strong. Learn them now so you’ll be ready when you need them!

For more useful business phrases, this article introduces seven expressions for making demands politely. Check it out!

The post 8 Expressions for Making Urgent Requests Politely appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Sometimes, such as when serving guests, insisting may actually be polite. And in the business world, when plans and prices are sensitive, it may not be possible to accept changes or alternative suggestions.

So how can you insist while still being polite? This article will introduce several ways to do exactly that.

I must insist

This is the most straightforward way to make a strong request of your conversation partner. It's bold but still polite. 

I can't budge

"Budge" is a verb meaning "to move slightly." It is used literally when talking about very heavy objects and figuratively for difficult points in negotiations.

If you are unable to budge, it means that you cannot or will not change something such as a price or other details of an agreement.

As far as I can go

If you've reached your limit on something, you can use this expression to politely express it.

"Far" can be changed to "high," "low" or other adjectives that are appropriate for the situation.

I'm not prepared to __ more

Use this expression with verbs such as "pay" or "offer" to express the maximum you can do.

Non-negotiable

If something is non-negotiable, it cannot be negotiated. In other words, it must be part of the agreement without being changed.

Off the table

In negotiation, something that is "on the table" can be discussed and debated. On the other hand, if a topic is "off the table," it is no longer possible or available.

Not take no for an answer

This expression is very bold and direct. In business situations, it is rarely spoken to someone you are negotiating with. However, you may use it among colleagues when discussing an important meeting or agreement.

It's more commonly used in casual situations when extending invitations, often with a friendly tone of voice and a soft smile.

Protect your relationships and yourself

Flexibility is important in many areas of life. However, particularly in business, there are times when accepting an alternative is impossible or would lead to negative results.

Prepare yourself for these situations by learning these polite ways to insist. Remember that your facial expression and tone of voice work together with your words to create a polite feeling, so be sure to use them all!

For more examples of useful phrases for business situations, we recommend this article on making urgent requests politely.

The post 7 English Expressions for Making Demands Politely appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Today, we'll introduce 10 polite English expressions for requesting clarification.

What do you mean by ... ?

Sometimes, the best way to ask someone for clarification is to directly ask them, "What do you mean by ... ?" A slightly more polite version of this phrase is "I'm not sure what you mean by …."

• Sorry, what do you mean by that?
• I'm not sure what you mean by "formal dress code." Could you show me some examples?

I don't understand.

Another way to ask for clarification is to let the other person know that you didn't understand them. You can do this by saying "I don't understand" or "I'm not sure I understand."

• Sorry, I don't understand your question. Would you mind rephrasing it for me?
• Hmm, I'm not sure I understand. Could you explain that again?

I'm (a little) confused.

Instead of saying "I don't understand," you can also just say "I'm (a little) confused."

• Sorry, I'm confused. Should I take this medicine three times a day or four?
• I'm a little confused about what you just said.

I don't (quite) follow.

Another way to say "I don't understand" is to say "I don't follow" or "I'm not following."

• Hmm, I don't quite follow you. Could you explain that to me again?
• I'm afraid I'm not following. Could you be more specific?

You mean ... ?

Telling your conversation partner what you think they meant is an effective way to ask for clarification. You can do this by saying "You mean ... ?" which is short for "Do you mean ... ?"

A

Does Thursday work for you?

B

You mean tomorrow? Or a week from now?

As in ...

An alternative to "you mean ... ?" is the phrase "as in ... ." This means "in the sense of ..." or "meaning ... ."

A

Does Thursday work for you?

B

Thursday as in tomorrow?

So you're saying ... ?

"So you're saying ... ?" means "So you think that ... ?" or "So you mean ... ?"

A

Do you believe in aliens?

B

Well, the universe is big and there's still a lot we don't know about it.

A

So you're saying aliens exist?

B

Yeah, I think it's likely.

If I understand you correctly ...

"If I understand you correctly ..." is a slightly more formal way to check your understanding.

• So if I understand you correctly, you feel that you were unfairly fired from your job?
• Let me see if I understand you correctly. You're saying that this policy would create 10 million new jobs?

You'll also hear native speakers say "If I understood you correctly." Both the past and present tense are acceptable.

Could you elaborate (on that)?

When you ask someone to "elaborate on" something, you're asking them to explain it in greater detail, which is another good way to ask for clarification.

• Sorry, could you elaborate, please?
• Could you elaborate on that for me? I'm not sure I follow.

Could you break that down for me?

If you "break something down," you separate it into its parts. So if you ask someone to "break down" something they said, you ask them to explain it part by part.

• I think I know what you mean, but could you break that down for me?
• Could you break that down for me? How much money did he steal and who are all the victims?

Wrap-up

People need to ask for clarification all of the time, so don’t feel nervous about checking your understanding or asking someone to rephrase something.

Once you can use these phrases comfortably, expand your knowledge even further by studying the related expressions in the following articles:

How to Ask If You Are Saying Something Correctly in English

8 Expressions for Making Urgent Requests Politely

The post 10 Ways to Politely Ask for Clarification in English appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Unfortunately, most English courses teach expressions that are either old-fashioned (“Pardon?”) or a bit aggressive (“Excuse me!”).

To help you out, we’ve made a list of 10 useful expressions that you can use to naturally ask people to repeat themselves.

Sorry?

You might hear native speakers say “What?” all the time. However, it takes a lot of skill to say “What?” without sounding rude, so we don’t recommend it. 

Luckily, there’s another short expression you can use which sounds a lot better: “Sorry?” You can think of this as a short version of “Sorry. What did you say?” 

Clerk

Your order comes out to $4.50.

A

Sorry?

Clerk

$4.50.

So the next time you need someone to repeat themselves, just say “Sorry?” It’s simpler and more common in English conversations these days. Just make sure to raise your intonation at the end of the word as you would when asking a question.

Say that again?

Another easy phrase you can use to ask for repetition is “Say that again?” This is a shortened version of “Could you say that again?” and you can hear it used in this video:

You can also replace “that” with other words. For example:

• Say that last part again?
• Say your name again? I just want to make sure I know how it’s pronounced.

However, you should know that “Say that again?” is best used in casual conversations. With people you’re not close with, it’s safer to go with one of these longer versions:

• Sorry, could you say that again, please?
• Would you mind saying that again?

What was that?

“What was that?” is like “What?” but less blunt. It means “What was the thing you just said?” To sound even more polite, you can say “Sorry, what was that?”

What did you (just) say?

“What did you say?” and “What did you just say?” are two other useful English expressions you can use to ask people to repeat themselves. 

• Sorry, what did you say? I didn’t hear.
• I’m sorry. What did you just say? There was some noise in the background.

Again, make sure to say this with a friendly tone of voice so you don’t accidentally sound aggressive.

… what?

Another alternative to “What?” is to first repeat part of what the other person said and then say “what” just like in a sample conversation below. 

A

I'm trying to learn Python.

B

You're trying to learn what?

A

Python. It's a programming language.

You can also use other question words like “when,” “where,” and “who” in this way.

• You’re going where this afternoon? 
• She’s talking to who right now?

“What” is the most versatile question word, as you can use it to replace words that aren’t nouns. For example, in the following sample dialogue, it replaces a verb:

A

Is your dog neutered?

B

Is he what?

A

Neutered.

Plus, as this example shows, “ … what?” is a great way to ask people to repeat a word that you haven’t heard before and might want to write down. Next time you’re having a conversation and you want your friend or online English tutor to repeat a specific word, give this option a try.

I didn’t get that.

“I didn’t get that” is another way to say “I didn’t hear what you said.”

• I’m afraid I didn’t get that.
• Sorry, I didn’t get the last bit. Say that again?

If you don’t understand why “get” means “hear,” think about it like this. If your friend mails you a birthday present, they might call you a few days later to ask “Have you gotten it yet?”

Well, as we all know, packages sometimes get lost in the mail instead of arriving at your doorstep. Similarly, the words that someone else says don’t always reach your ear. That’s why English speakers say “I didn’t get that.

I didn’t catch that.

“I didn’t catch that” is another way to say “I didn’t get that.” To get an idea of why “catch” is used, imagine someone “threw” some words at you and you didn’t “catch” them with your ear. 

• Sorry, I didn't catch that.
• Sorry, I didn't quite catch that last part.

I missed that.

“I missed that” is another way to say that you didn’t hear something.

• Would you mind repeating yourself? I missed the last bit.
• Sorry, I missed that.

I’m not sure I heard correctly.

Instead of saying “I didn’t hear you,” you can also say that you aren’t sure if you heard the person correctly. This is also a phrase you can use in more formal situations.

• I’m not sure I heard correctly. Could you repeat the question, please?
• I’m not sure I heard the last part correctly. You were saying that he wanted to quit his job?

Could you tell me again … ?

Sometimes, you need people to repeat something they said earlier in the conversation. In that case, you can use “Could you tell me again … ?”

• Could you tell me again why you chose to move to Germany?
• I know you already mentioned this, but could you tell me again how they met?

Bonus: How to ask people to repeat themselves yet again

Sometimes, you ask someone to repeat themselves, but still fail to understand them. Here are some expressions you can use in this situation.

• Sorry, one more time, please.
• Sorry, I missed that again. Could you repeat that one more time, please?
• I’m so sorry. The noise is making it difficult for me to hear you. Could you say that again?
• Clearly, I need to get my ears checked! Would you mind repeating that for me, one last time?

Wrap-up

The phrases we've covered here are for when you have trouble hearing someone. However, if you heard what your conversation partner said but didn't quite understand the meaning, you'll want to ask for clarification instead.

Mastering the phrases in these two articles will help make you a much more confident English speaker. Book a lesson with an Engoo tutor to start practicing with them today!

The post 10 Polite Ways to Ask People to Repeat Themselves appeared first on Engoo Blog.