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Mike Davis is an expert linguist and conversation teacher at Englishtown. A language lover himself, Mike once tried to learn Spanish but felt he was always taught useless formal expressions. Since then he has become determined to teach English for real life situations.

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Professor Mike Davis' practical English column

How to say no in English

Has this ever happened to you? Your boss asks if you can spend all night at a dinner meeting even though you have to go to you best friend's birthday party.

There are always times we have to say no. But how do we do it without being rude or insulting? Here are some English phrases that might help you to say no without hurting the feelings of the person who wants you to do something.

I can't right now, but maybe later. This mean perhaps in the future.

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Unfortunately, I've had a few things come up. This means something unexpected has happened.

I'm trying to focus on finishing off some other things. This is another way of saying you have some unfinished business.

I'm sorry I can't. This simply says it's impossible for you.

I can't at that time, but I'm happy to help you with something else later. This is very polite. You say no but offer you help for other things.

Sorry but that isn't my strong suit. This is another way of saying you won't be good at that.

I'm sure you will do fine on your own. This is a polite way of telling someone to do it themselves.

I'm afraid I'm committed to something else. Say this if you have other plans.

I really don't enjoy that kind of activity. Or, I don't like to do that.

I'm sorry, but I have an emergency to attend to. This says you have something urgent you must do.

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More practical English tips from Mike!

  • Mind your manners in English
  • 10 tips for perfect pronunciation
  • Ten tips to build English vocabulary
  • The most commonly mispronounced English words
  • Improve your English in 3 minutes a day!
  • Feeling old? Get up to speed with these trendy American phrases.


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    		Ask Mike

    Mike answers all of your practical English worries!

    Q:Dear Mike,

    What does it mean when Paris Hilton says, "That's hot" all the time?

    Julio, San Paolo, Brazil


    A:Dear Julio,


    "That's hot!" is basically another way of saying "that's cool", "that's great!" or "that's awesome!" In other words, it's Paris's way of expressing her approval for something. Here is an example of how you can use the expression. Say your friend says, "Julio, I heard that Paris Hilton is going to be on TV tonight!" If you think that this is a good thing, you can then say, "that's hot!"

    Best, Mike

    Q:Dear Mike,

    I always wonder why American ladies say they have to go to "bathroom" or "washroom" rather than the toilet. Isn't it all the same thing?

    Calon, Shanghai, China


    A:Dear Calon,


    You're right! They are all the same thing. The answer is that Americans in general, have a more conservative or prudish attitude when it comes to bathroom or toilet affairs. "Bathroom" and "washroom" are essentially euphemisms. A euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces. In other words: Americans don't want people to picture them in the toilet!

    Best, Mike

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