Adding details politely

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example I think it's

2:25

fine the addition of please at the end

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though is important let's take it up a

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notch level two can I have a black

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coffee please here the request is

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formulated as a question using the modal

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verb can which makes it more polite than

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the first one you will often hear this

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said as can I get a black coffee please

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this is slightly more common in American

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English but it's making its way into

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British English some people don't like

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the use of get here but a lot of native

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speakers use it now let's say this more

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politely level three may I please have a

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black coffee with a splash of milk all

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right we're getting a little bit more

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complex here this is a very polite way

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to order a coffee using the modal verb

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may you can also replace May with the

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modal verb could which is a more polite

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way to make requests than can you can

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also see that the word please has moved

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from the end to directly after mayi this

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front loading of please emphasizes the

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politeness of the request and sets a

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formal tone from the outset we are also

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now asking for a splash of milk and a

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splash