Smart and Polite ways to say 'NO' in English - Free Spoken English Lesson

Smart and Polite ways to say 'NO' in English - Free Spoken English Lesson

Here is a good rule to keep in mind about English; it is often better to be polite than it is to be direct. English speakers often use more words than are necessary to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ because they are adding polite words to the simple messages they are trying to get across. If you are too direct in saying ‘no’ in English this can be considered rude. Let’s take a look today at some different, polite, ways to say ‘no.’

You might want to practice these new expressions often, so you don’t have to worry about appearing rude when speaking English to native speakers.
Here are some polite ways to say ‘no’ to a request for help:

I would love to help you, but …
I wish I could help you, but …
Normally I would be able to, but … or Normally I would say yes, but…
Unfortunately now is not a good time for me….

Polite ways to say ‘no’ to an offer that you do not want to accept:

I appreciate the offer, but …
That would be great, but ….
Thank you for the offer, but …

Polite ways to say ‘no’ to an invitation:

That sounds great, but….
I’m sorry I can’t come that day/night. I have …
I really appreciate the invitation, but…
I wish I could come, but unfortunately …

Okay, now let’s practice using these expressions in context with a few scenarios. Here are three situations in which you need to find a polite way to say ‘no.’

Scenario 1: Your neighbor is moving to a new apartment and comes over at the last minute asking for help moving her furniture. You have to prepare for a big presentation so you are too busy to help.

I would love to help you, but I am really busy working on a presentation for work right now, so I am not free.
I wish I could help you, but I have a lot of work to do for a presentation I am making tomorrow.
Normally I would be able to, but I have to prepare for my big presentation that is happening tomorrow.
Unfortunately now is not a good time for me, I have to work on an important presentation.

Scenario 2: Your boyfriend offers to pick you up from work, but you already have plans to have drinks with your co-workers and so you don’t need a ride home.

I appreciate the offer, but I was planning on having drinks with my coworkers.
That would be great, but just not tonight, because I am having drinks with my coworkers.
Thank you for the offer, but I have plans already to have drinks with my coworkers. Why don’t you come and have drinks with us!

Scenario 3: You are invited to a party at a co-workers house, but you don’t really like the co-worker and don’t want to go.

That sounds great, but I can’t make it this time.
I’m sorry I can’t come that night. I have other plans already.
I really appreciate the invitation, but I am not going to be able to make it this time.
I wish I could come, but unfortunately I won’t be able to be there. Have a great party.

[SONOFAZOMBIE]

As a native English speaker, I can confirm these are very good examples.  However, I just wish humans didn't have to -bullshit- lie to make ourselves feel better.   I wish we could be direct and just say _no_.   Just say no with a smile  ☺

[prakvonn]

It a good model for teaching of English language

[butterflyeverfree]

You're one of my favorite English teachers! Thanks for all these useful lessons!

[mwgthang]

wow! the way of your teaching is so different, so interesting, I like...

[vershayadav]

thank u mam I really feel very happy after watching your videos seriously mam I like your way of teaching... which is very different from u so

[anudeepsyamprasad]

hey niharika, you did a great job, this is so helpful for me.. Thanks a lot .. mam

[fillemonshikongo]

thank
you really make my days the best

[mariuszk]

Thank you for it. It will be helpfull for my conversations :)

[amadjarhassan]

thank you for this videos
teacher beautiful ❤️

[Tejasvni_Shet]

Thank you niharika..keep your smile like this only..
And..i had doubt on..
How to say repeatedly No to relatives.. I've got to solutions frm ur video..
I hope you do more such vedios

[jayeetadebnath]

really its very helpful for
me di.Thank you.

[marijuana]

last time I refused to someone's offer and I thought I disrespected him but now I learned how to refuse politely.

[benzongarcia]

love your video niharika and you have a good looking every viewers will really attract to you. keep it up 😘

[Biren]

once again thanks NIHARIKA MADAM really amazing lessons i learned from you thanks a lot 

[cshekhar]

Its good video, can you make videos on how to face the interview, when interview asking about tell "me about ur self"!

[jadejaketanshinjadejaketan]

oooo u r so cool and your videos also😇😊😃

[miftakurhidayah]

like her so much.. it's useful for me, I like the topic and i like her expression..btw she is so cute...hai Niharika would you travelling to Jakarta please....

[WitoTM]

I love the Way that you explained the topics, Its very useful for me at my work thank you

[RXM]

I used to have a hard time saying no but not anymore. I say no all the time but now I running out of friends : (

[Atheera]

OMG, I love you, your videos are so helpful and to the point, plus we truly need to learn these expressions in our life.. actually my only problem in english is lack of expressions... Thank you from the bottom of my heart Keep rocking xoxo