Canadian Communication Style Quiz

Check your answers below.

1. Easy Question:

Canadian communication style is the same as American and British.

a) True     b) False

2. Easy Question:

Canadians are less direct than Americans.

a) True       b) False

3. More Difficult:

Which sentence is a more ‘Canadian style’ request?

a) Help me please.      b) Could you help me?

4. More Difficult:

Which sentence is more Canadian style?

a) This is wrong.       b) This is not correct.

5. Difficult:

Canadians show openness and flexibility by using

a) continuous forms of verbs      b) comparatives degrees of adjectives       c) both a and b

6. Difficult:

Canadians use a lot of softening words/expressions like ‘sort of’ and ‘kind of’.

a) True       b) False

Check your answers below.

Canadian Communication Style

If you are an immigrant to Canada who wants to speak in a more ‘Canadian way’, you can easily do so by employing communication strategies explained below. Speaking Canadian English means being less direct in your communication – Canadian people are known to be less direct than Americans or British.

You can achieve this Indirectness in several ways:

1. Use of Modal Verbs: Could, Would, Might

Canadians dislike orders and prefer to phrase them as questions. So when your manager asks “Could you take these binders to the meeting room?” it is not a question – you are being told to do it! Here are some more examples:

Could you help me? (not: Help me.)

Do you think you could help me? (not: Help me.)

This might work. (not: This will work.)

Would you like something to drink? (not: Drink something.)

2. Use of Continuous Forms: I was hoping, I am wondering

Canadians like using Continuous forms because it leaves situation more open and its outcome more flexible.

I was hoping to talk to you. (not: I hope to talk to you).

I’m wondering if they are open. (not: I wonder if they are open.)

3. Use of Past Tense instead of Present

Canadians use past tense to create a distance in time and thus sound less pushy.

I was hoping to talk to you. (not: I’m hoping)

I was wondering if it would be possible to get a day off. (not: I’m wondering)

I wanted to ask you a question. (not: I want to ask you a question.)

4. Use of Comparative Adjectives

Openness and flexibility is also achieved by using comparative degrees of adjectives instead of superlatives.

It is better for you to go there in the afternoon. (not: the best)

This hotel is cheaper. (not: the cheapest)

This book is more interesting. (not: the most interesting)

5. Use of Questions instead of Statements

To sound polite in Canada, you will need to use questions instead of orders. Imperative forms are only okay to use with close friends, family members and dogs.

Would you like to wait here? (not: Wait here.)

Could you pass me the file? (not: Pass me the file.)

6. Use of Warning Words: Actually, Unfortunately, I’m afraid that

When a Canadian person hears some incorrect information, they will often use a warning word first. Here are some examples:

A: Is your son in college?

B: Actually, he is only 12 years old.

.

A: Are you coming to Mary’s this Sunday?

B: Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join the party.

.

A: Do you have any more of these?

B: I’m afraid that we are sold out.

7. Use of Opinion Expressions: I think, I believe, It seems to me

Using ‘I think’ or ‘It seems to me’ implies that the sentence is just an opinion and the speaker is open and flexible to be corrected if needed.

I think he is not coming. (not: He is not coming.)

I believe the meeting is on Wednesday. (not: The meeting is on Wednesday.)

It seems to me that this is important. (not: This is important.)

8. Use of Softening Words: kind of, sort of, a bit, a little

This is another way to sound polite and less direct.

I’m a bit tired. (not: I’m tired.)

My neighbours are kind of loud. (not: My neighbours are loud.)

9. Use of Positive Words in Negative Sentences

Negative words, in the opinion of Canadians, reflect the speaker, not the situation. If you use negative words, you are a negative person. Be very careful to speak positively, especially at a job interview and while building relationships with management at work.

This is not correct. (not: This is wrong.)

This was not a smart thing to do. (not: This was a stupid thing to do.)

Read next:

The Most Important Grammar in Canada

Learn Fast Like Children

Reading Skills

What Canadians Talk about

Conversation Management Strategies