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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Would you like a complimentary drink madam!

Is that good English?
  

Top answer

Hi, Would you like a complimentary drink , madam ? Yes, it's fine. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, Would you like a complimentary drink , madam ?
  • Yes, it's fine.
  • Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

Would you like a complimentary drink, madam?

Yes, it's fine.

Clive
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1. Would you like a complimentary drink madam!

In situations like that, I seldom worry about the grammar. (Or the short-sightedness of the waiter.)

MrP
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AnonymousIs that good English?
I don't like it. It sounds like a stewardess on a cheap airline.

The problem is you are mixing "you" (second person) and "madam" (third person). If your purpose is to address someone with extreme formallity and respect, omit the pronoun "you" and use the third person singular form of the verb:
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I wouldn't myself take "madam" in that sentence as third person, Bokeh – after all, "Bokeh" isn't third person in this sentence!
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MrPedanticI wouldn't myself take "madam" in that sentence as third person, Bokeh
No, but I believe it should be in the OP's sentence. Not only that, either "you" or "madam" is redundant.

My take on it is: to be extremely polite is often accomplished through indirectness hence my recommendation to avoid the second person. Other ways to get that in
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