Collocation
I don't want to be rude, but
This phrase is used to politely introduce a direct or potentially critical statement, disagreement, or an uncomfortable truth.
Definition
'I don't want to be rude, but' is a common English collocation. This phrase is used to politely introduce a direct or potentially critical statement, disagreement, or an uncomfortable truth.
fixed phrase + statement
“I don't want to be rude, but your fly is open.”
Examples
- I don't want to be rude, but your music is a bit too loud for me to concentrate.
- I don't want to be rude, but you have something in your teeth.
- I don't want to be rude, but I think you've misunderstood the main point of the project.
Show more examples
- I don't want to be rude, but I believe you should double-check those figures before submitting the report.
- I don't want to be rude, but I need to interject here and offer a different perspective.
- I don't want to be rude, but this service has been exceptionally slow tonight, and we've been waiting for ages.
- I don't want to be rude, but that argument you just presented has a significant logical fallacy.
- I don't want to be rude, but I'm really not in the mood for an argument right now.
- I don't want to be rude, but you're speaking over everyone else.
- I don't want to be rude, but your presentation slides were a little hard to read due to the small font.
Learn this in a path
More at C1 level
- I don't believe we've been introduced. A polite phrase used to indicate that two people have not formally met each other yet.
- back down from an argument To withdraw from a confrontation or dispute, often admitting defeat, conceding a point, or avoiding…
- make up for lost time To compensate for a period of inactivity or delay by working extra hard or quickly.
- What do you make of it? What do you think about it? / What is your opinion or interpretation of it?
- I'd be curious to know. I want to know; I'm interested in knowing something.