Acknowledge that a subject may be difficult and give the other person a choice.
The idea
Ask Would you feel comfortable talking about…? or May I ask…? Offer to change the subject.
Examples
- Would you feel comfortable talking about the budget?
- I hope you don’t mind me asking about your family.
- We can change the subject if you’d rather not discuss it.
- May I ask how the move has affected you?
- This may be difficult to talk about, so please take your time.
- Thank you for telling me; I won’t share it without your permission.
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Watch out
Do not assume that a polite question guarantees an answer; listen and accept a refusal.
Try it yourself
Choose the tactful question: ___ I ask about the delay? (May / Must)
Show answer or example answer
May
May asks permission politely.
Complete the offer to stop: We can ___ the subject. (change / demand)
Show answer or example answer
change
change offers a different subject.
Choose the word that asks about comfort: Are you ___ discussing the schedule? (comfortable / certain)
Show answer or example answer
comfortable
comfortable checks whether the person feels at ease.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the tactful question: ___ I ask about the delay? (May / Must)
Complete the offer to stop: We can ___ the subject. (change / demand)
Choose the word that asks about comfort: Are you ___ discussing the schedule? (comfortable / certain)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a tactful question and an offer to change the subject.