Business Hedging indirect refusal BE - Exercise Worksheet

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GrammarBusiness · Hedging & indirect refusal

Hedging & indirect refusal

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

High-EQ professionals rely on a small set of learnable techniques. The first is the labelling technique, developed by FBI negotiator Chris Voss.

Grammar Reference · Hedging & indirect refusal

Indirect refusal

That won't be possible by Thursday — I could send a draft next Monday. — clear, no apology

Labelling emotion

It seems like the timeline is creating some pressure. — names the feeling, reduces tension

Modal hedging

I might be able to look at this after the Q3 deadline. — possibility without commitment

Common error

I am so sorry but I really cannot... ✗ → That won't work for me — how about... ✓ — avoid over-apologising

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Hedging & indirect refusal

1.I be able to review the proposal before Monday's meeting.

2. like this situation has been building for some time.

3.That be possible this week — could we schedule it for next Tuesday?

4.Before we commit, I like to raise a few questions about the timeline.

5.It be worth pausing to consider the team's capacity before deciding.

6. there any possibility of extending the deadline by 48 hours?

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.Sorry, I can't do this — I'm too busy.

2.You're wrong about the budget.

3.I don't want to do this project.

4.Talk to someone else — it's not my job.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

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