Workplace Conversation tip: Tone, Volumen, and Context Matter!

Style matters – especially when we talk with our co-workers, consumers, patients, and supervisors. English language learners, recent immigrants, and far too many other people who work in English sometimes seem to forget this!

Consider the difference in how these requests sound.

Shut off the TV!
Please turn off the TV?
Could you turn off the TV?
Would you please turn off the TV?

Close the door!
Close the door; it’s noisy out there.
Shut the damn door!
Would you please close the door; it’s noisy out there.
Could you get the door?
Can you close the door?

Sometimes, especially in an emergency, it is appropriate to warn other people with a short command.

Call the police!
Help!
Shut the door!

We recognize it is an emergency because of the way the request is made. It’s an order.

I. When would it be appropriate to give a warning on your job? Please give 3 examples.
1.
2.
3.

But, usually, we also make our requests that are not emergencies. We can – and should- give suggestions in a kinder, gentler way.

We can use many words to make requests and suggestions:
May Can Could Would Should Might

II. Please write a request that you might give or hear at work with these words.
1. Can ______________________________________________?
2. May ______________________________________________?
3. Could _____________________________________________?
4. Would_____________________________________________?
5. Should_____________________________________________?
6. Might _____________________________________________?

Adding the word “please” makes your requests and suggestions sound nicer too!

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Create Compelling Conversations.
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