文/王妍筑、John Stephenson企劃/英語島教學實驗室

好話人人愛聽,
但講出壞消息就需要一點技巧了。

- It is probable that we will need to cancel this order. What is the best way to get this done?
有沒有可能我們需要取消這個訂單?要解決這個事情有什麼最好的方法?
- A likely solution would be to monitor the situation and perhaps review things in a week or two.
可能的解決方式是監控情況,或許在1到2周後再檢討一次。
- This is a pretty good idea to a certain extent. Does anyone else have anything to add?
這想法真的好到某個程度了。有人還有要補充的嗎?
- It is apparent that he is not going to change his decision.
很明顯,他是不會改變他的決定的。

副詞算是所有類別裡面,最好運用的技巧了,副詞可以直接決定整個描述要婉轉或是直接。
團體中,有些人善於磨合固執的人,調和團隊氣氛。他們說的話看似模稜兩可,卻在無形中增加團隊向心力,是不可或缺的角色。

- It is perhaps a good idea to spend a bit more time thinking about this.
花一點時間思考或許是個好想法。
- Apparently, this product is set to be a major hit this year.
這個產品今年顯然會大爆紅。
- Presumably, you are not going to speak to him before you have discussed it with the whole team?
在跟整個團隊討論以前,你大概不會跟他說話吧?
- It is certainly a great thought, but do you think we might want to try and find a few more suggestions before we move forward?
這真的是個很棒的想法,但你覺得我們繼續做之前,還會再嘗試跟搜集多一些意見嗎?
- Returns for investing in this company could possibly be extremely high.
在這家公司投資的報酬可能非常高。
延伸閱讀:
複習一下第1點-->決定說話直接或婉轉的助動詞
等等,動詞跟名詞也可以婉轉?
收錄於英語島 2017年3月號
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