Politeness and Formality in English Communication: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to effective communication in English, understanding the nuances of politeness and formality is crucial. This guide will explore the differences between more and less formal expressions, providing you with insights into which phrases are more suitable in various contexts.

Choosing the Right Polite Sentence

Which sentence is more polite?

The more polite sentence is:

The addition of

It's important to note that although some guides may suggest 'politer' as a term, the correct phrase is 'more polite.' When choosing between two sentences, consider which one is more formal and appropriate for your context.

Which Phrase is More Appropriate?

Example Sentences:

You said it yourself, you are expecting a response. So it is better to use: looking forward to your reply or looking forward to your response. I look forward to hearing from you. (You don't have to add back. This sentence is both correct without back and formal.) The latter isn't correct. The phrasal verb is: to look forward to. If you want to be less formal, you can use the present continuous instead of the simple present: I am looking forward to hearing from you.

The more polite and grammatically correct sentence is:

I look forward to hearing from you.

This sentence is considered more formal and polite because it includes the preposition to.

Formal vs. Casual Language

Implications and Differences:

There is a difference in meaning between the first and second examples:

The first example: "I look forward to hearing back from you." This implies that the person is writing to someone and expecting a reply. It is more formal, as you might find in a business letter. The second example: "I look forward to hearing from you." This is more casual and would be used in initiating contact with someone for the first time.

In general, in English, the longer and more 'wordy' an expression, the more formal or polite it is. However, in this case, the term 'hear back' is clunky as the 'back' is superfluous, adding no meaning to the sentence. Therefore, the correct and more elegant phrasing is:

To hearing from you.

Conclusion

Selecting the right phrase can greatly enhance the clarity and politeness of your communication. Remember, 'look forward to hearing from you' is a more elegant and formal way to express anticipation and politely invite a reply.