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Anonymous Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Correct?

Would you happen to have napkins?


Is this sentence correct and is it a polite ask?

  

Top answer

Hi It's certainly correct and polite. In a strictly logical way, the 'happen to' doesn't serve a purpose, but most polite people make a sentence like this slightly longer than it needs to be, out of politeness - not least in the UK - Would you happen to have napkins? - Sorry, but, could we have some napkins?

— Dave_anon

  • Hi It's certainly correct and polite.
  • In a strictly logical way, the 'happen to' doesn't serve a purpose, but most polite people make a sentence like this slightly longer than it needs to be, out of politeness - not least in the UK - Would you happen to have napkins?
  • - Sorry, but, could we have some napkins?
  • - Hi, could you bring us some napkins please?
  • Thanks!
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1 Answers
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Hi

It's certainly correct and polite. In a strictly logical way, the 'happen to' doesn't serve a purpose, but most polite people make a sentence like this slightly longer than it needs to be, out of politeness - not least in the UK

- Would you happen to have napkins?

- Sorry, but, could we have some napkins?

- Hi, could you bring us some napkins please? Thanks!

'

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