Exercices B2 : exprimer une critique en anglais (corrigé)

Ces exercices vous permettent de mettre en pratique les outils vus dans le cours pour formuler des critiques polies et constructives en anglais. Travaillez les modaux d’atténuation, les softeners et la méthode sandwich.

→ Voir le cours : Exprimer une critique en anglais : cours complet

Exercice 1 : Quelle réponse adopter ?

Pour chaque situation, choisissez la formulation la plus appropriée pour exprimer une critique diplomatique en anglais.

1. Your colleague handed in a report whose structure lacks clarity. How can you point this out to them constructively?
   • Your report is confusing and hard to follow.
   • I think the report could be even clearer if the sections were reorganized slightly.
   • You should rewrite the whole thing from scratch.
   • This report doesn't make any sense.
2. A member of your team often arrives late to meetings. How can you bring up the subject tactfully?
   • You're always late and it's very unprofessional.
   • I wanted to mention that it might help the team if you could join us on time.
   • Why can't you just be on time like everyone else?
   • Being late is completely unacceptable.
3. Your intern’s presentation lacked concrete data. You want to tell them so in an encouraging way.
   • You gave a great effort today! It would be even stronger with a few more concrete figures to back up your points.
   • Your presentation had no data and was unconvincing.
   • You need to add facts next time.
   • I didn't find your presentation very convincing.
4. A dissatisfied customer is aggressively criticizing your service. You want to respond positively before mentioning the limits.
   • You're wrong, our service is excellent.
   • Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate your patience, and I'd like to address your concerns.
   • There's nothing we can do about that.
   • That's not our fault.

Correction

1. I think the report could be even clearer if the sections were reorganized slightly.
2. I wanted to mention that it might help the team if you could join us on time.
3. You gave a great effort today! It would be even stronger with a few more concrete figures to back up your points.
4. Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate your patience, and I'd like to address your concerns.

Exercice 2 : Complétez le dialogue

Complétez chaque réplique manquante pour que le dialogue reflète une critique formulée avec diplomatie, en utilisant les modaux, softeners ou la méthode sandwich vus dans le cours.

1. Manager : 'Your work this quarter has been really impressive overall.'
   Employee : 'Thank you, I've put a lot of effort in.'
   Manager : '___ (Ajoutez une critique constructive sur le respect des délais.)'
2. Colleague A : 'What did you think of my idea in the meeting?'
   Colleague B : '___ (Complimentez d'abord, puis exprimez une réserve sur la faisabilité.)'
3. Teacher : 'I've read your essay and there are some strong arguments in there.'
   Student : 'Oh great, I worked really hard on it.'
   Teacher : '___ (Signalez que la conclusion pourrait être améliorée, avec un modal d'atténuation.)'
4. Team leader : '___ (Ouvrez positivement, puis critiquez diplomatiquement le manque de communication de l'équipe durant le projet.)'

Correction

1. That said, it might be worth focusing a little more on meeting deadlines, as a couple of submissions came in late this quarter.
2. I really liked the creativity behind your idea! I do wonder, though, whether it might be challenging to implement given our current budget.
3. Absolutely, and the introduction is particularly well done. The conclusion could perhaps be developed a little more to fully reinforce your main argument.
4. The team delivered some excellent results on this project, and I'm proud of what we achieved together. Going forward, it might help us all to communicate more regularly so that issues can be flagged earlier.

Exercice 3 : Reformulez avec diplomatie

Reformulez chaque critique directe et maladroite en une remarque constructive et polie, en appliquant les techniques du cours : modaux d'atténuation, softeners et/ou méthode sandwich.

1. Reformulez cette phrase trop directe : 'Your email was rude and completely unprofessional.'
2. Reformulez cette phrase trop directe : 'This design is ugly and nobody will like it.'
3. Reformulez cette phrase trop directe : 'You talk too much in meetings and waste everyone's time.'
4. Reformulez cette phrase trop directe : 'Your plan is unrealistic and will never work.'

Correction

1. I wanted to gently mention that the tone of your email came across as quite direct ; it might be worth softening it a little to keep things professional.
2. You've clearly put a lot of thought into this design. I think it could be even more impactful if the colour palette were adjusted slightly ; it might appeal to a wider audience that way.
3. I really value your contributions in meetings. It might be helpful to keep some points a little more concise so that everyone has a chance to share their views.
4. There are some genuinely interesting ideas in your plan. I do wonder whether certain aspects might need to be scaled back slightly to make it more feasible within our current constraints.