Exercises B2 : use Expressing criticism in English (answers)

These exercises will help you apply the key strategies from the course — softeners, modal verbs, and understated negatives — to express criticism in a natural and diplomatically appropriate way.

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Exercice 1 — Fill in the softener

Complete each sentence with the most appropriate softening expression from the course. Write the full sentence in your answer.

1. I ___ you could have checked the figures before sending the report.
2. ___ me saying so, the presentation didn't quite meet our expectations.
3. With ___, I think the tone of your email was a little too direct.
4. I hate to say it, ___ the deadline was clearly missed.

Correction

1. I feel you could have checked the figures before sending the report.
2. If you don't mind me saying so, the presentation didn't quite meet our expectations.
3. With respect, I think the tone of your email was a little too direct.
4. I hate to say it, but the deadline was clearly missed.

Exercice 2 — Spot and correct the mistake

Each sentence contains one error related to expressing criticism politely. Identify the mistake and rewrite the full sentence correctly.

1. You should have been more carefully when reviewing the contract.
2. It might be worth to reconsider your approach to the client.
3. I don't think this solution is the most ideally one available.
4. Could you have not let us know about the delay a little sooner?

Correction

1. You should have been more careful when reviewing the contract.
2. It might be worth reconsidering your approach to the client.
3. I don't think this solution is the most ideal one available.
4. Couldn't you have let us know about the delay a little sooner?

Exercice 3 — Soften the criticism

Rewrite each blunt criticism using softeners, modal verbs, or understated negatives, as practised in the course. Write a complete sentence.

1. Your work is full of mistakes.
2. You wasted everyone's time in that meeting.
3. You completely ignored the client's feedback.
4. This design looks terrible.

Correction

1. I feel your work could do with a bit more attention to detail.
2. I'm not sure the meeting was the most productive use of everyone's time.
3. It seems as though the client's feedback may not have been fully taken into account.
4. If you don't mind me saying so, the design doesn't quite work as well as it could.