PROBLEMS:
Wouldn't we meet on the 14th? COMMENT: No reason for negative. Also, this use
of "wouldn't" changes meaning.
I would hope we will meet on the 14th. COMMENT: "Would hope" is too indirect
for expressing the person's request to meet; it only expresses a desire.
I think we could meet on the 14th provided that you have no other appointment.
COMMENT: [Technical: Don't change the meaning. In the original sentence we see
no idea of opinion or other appointment.]
I'd like to meet you on the 14th. COMMENT: This comes a bit too close to a polite
command.
SUGGESTED
Would it be possible to meet on the 14th?
I was wondering if we could meet on the 14th.
PROBLEMS
I was wanting your opinion... COMMENT: Grammar: I wanted...
I'm willing to listen to your opinion... COMMENT: "Willing" does not mean want.
Look it up in the dictionary.
I would want your opinion... COMMENT: Grammar logic.
You could give me your opinion on our sales strategy. COMMENT: Let's stick to
the exact content in these exercises.
SUGGESTED:
I was hoping to get your opinion on our sales strategy.
I'd like to get your opinion...
PROBLEMS
I'm afraid I would be busy. COMMENT: Tense problem. Also, strengthen "busy"
to a word or phrase that shows very busy. (See the comment below.)
I'm afraid I am a little bit busy. COMMENT: Tense problem. Also, if you're only
a "little bit" busy it is not very nice of you to turn down your colleague's
request.
I'm afraid I couldn't make it... COMMENT: This was pointed out on "Additions..."
I'm afraid that I'm a little bit too busy... COMMENT: If you're only a "little
bit" too busy, you are not taking the other person's request seriously. Besides,
it's "a bit," not "a little bit."
I'm afraid I would be busy. COMMENT: will
SUGGESTED
I'm afraid I'll be busy/tied up that day.
Best: I wish I could, but I'm afraid I'll be quite busy that day.
PROBLEMS
I'm afraid I couldn't make it. COMMENT: won't be able to. See "Additions..."
If you said "I'm afraid anywhere else in this conversation, you shouldn't use
it here. Don't overdo it.
SUGGESTED
Actually, the 14th would be rather inconvenient.
PROBLEMS
Wouldn't the 30th be better? COMMENT: "Better" for whom? This implies that the
30th would be better for the other person, but it is actually you who prefer
this date.
Would/Wouldn't we change to the 30th? COMMENT: This just doesn't make sense
in this context.
SUGGESTED
Would it be possible to change it to the 30th?
Could we meet on the 30th?
Would you mind changing it to the 30th?
PROBLEMS
Wouldn't the 14th be too early for me? or: Wouldn't that be too early? COMMENT:
This doesn't make sense in this context.
With respect, the 14th is a little bit early for me. COMMENT: This has nothing
to do with respect. Also, "a little bit" means something else.
Frankly,... COMMENT: You were expected to substitute this with something like
"Actually."
SUGGESTED
Actually / As a matter of fact, the 14th is/would be a bit early for me.
PROBLEMS
I would need time to review the sales data. COMMENT: This one is difficult to
explain. In another context it would be all right, but in this context it's
not. There doesn't seem to be any question that he will meet, and "would" signifies
conditional, so "would" does not seem natural.
SUGGESTED
I would like to have some time to review the sales data.
PROBLEMS
That would be o.k. COMMENT: "Okay" is quite informal; in a more formal situation,
as in talk between colleagues, "fine" or "all right" is probably better.
(I think) that would be perfectly acceptable. COMMENT: Don't say "acceptable"
when you are negotiating a favor from someone; it seems as if you are accepting
or rejecting the conditions for the favor you are asking, which is arrogant.
I see no objection to that. COMMENT: This is also arrogant.
SUGGESTED
That would be just fine. Thank you!