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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Business & Finance

Spoken English for Business

Is 'take your time' a polite expression?
  

Top answer

Hi, Yes. It's also casual English. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, Yes.
  • It's also casual English.
  • Clive
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7 Answers
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Hi,

Yes. It's also casual English.

Clive
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But why is 'take your time' polite?
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Hi,

It shows consideration for the other person.

Why do you think it might not be polite?

Clive
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I came up with a little theory and can you comment on it?

Take your time is polite because it states the action indirectly, not literally. That is, 'take your time' doesn't really mean take + something'. 'Take your time' means 'you may look around'. So the verb 'take' doesn't mean 'look around', right?

In short, if there is a mismatch between the verb (take) and the actio
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Hi,

Sorry, but I find your theory totally unconvincing.

'Take' has many standard meanings that have nothing to do with literally taking something. One of them is 'taking time'.

'Take your time' is polite for the reason I indicated, in t
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Well, your explanation is not really an explanation. You claimed that the expression shows your concern, which I am afraid, is the implication the expression. What we have been talking about is explanations, not implications.

Actually I can rephrase my question. What are the dif
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Hi,
What are the differences between the following two in terms of politeness?

a. Sit This is very terse, and terseness is often seen as rudeness,
b. Take a seat. This is less terse, and phrase
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