This practice activity requires you to use the euphemisms in this article.
Read the article and then try the practice exercise.
Instructions: The following sentences sound a bit harsh. What euphemisms could you use to say the same thing but in a softer, less direct way? In some cases, more than one answer is possible.
1. One of our employees spent some time in prison when he was younger.
One of our employees was incarcerated when he was younger.
One of our employees served time when he was younger.
2. Martin’s uncle died in World War II.
Martin’s uncle lost his life in World War II.
3. Chelsea was an advertising executive, but now she’s a housewife.
Chelsea was an advertising executive, but now she’s a homemaker.
4. George works as a trash man, but is currently looking for work as a janitor.
George works as a sanitation worker, but he is currently looking for work as a custodian.
5. Sally’s German Shepherd had to be killed. It had cancer.
Sally’s German Shepherd had to be put down. It had cancer.
Sally’s German Shepherd had to be euthanized. It had cancer.
6. Sir, I’m very sorry but there is a problem with your order. It looks like it won’t be shipped until Thursday.
Sir, I’m very sorry but there is an issue with your order. It looks like it won’t be shipped until Thursday.
7. Did the doctor recommend getting an abortion?
Did the doctor recommend terminating the pregnancy?
8. The job offer sounds great, but I was hoping for better pay.
The job offer sounds great, but I was hoping for a better salary.
The job offer sounds great, but I was hoping for a better compensation package.
9. I think it’s great that our company provides employment opportunities to the mentally retarded.
I think it’s great that our company provides employment opportunities to the mentally handicapped.
10. Our boss wants us to complete this report by the end of the day.
Our supervisor wants us to complete this report by the end of the day.
11. You owe our company some money. Please pay us as soon as possible.
You have an outstanding balance. Please settle the account as soon as possible.
12. A local teacher was removed from duty due to his drug addiction.
A local teacher was put on administrative leave due to his substance abuse problem.
13. I wouldn’t show that movie to your child. There is a lot of sexual content.
I wouldn’t show that movie to your child. There is a lot of explicit content.
I wouldn’t show that movie to your child. There is a lot of adult content.
I wouldn’t show that movie to your child. There is a lot of graphic content.
14. Give me a couple minutes to go to the bathroom, and then we can continue the conference call.
Give me a couple minutes to go to the restroom, and then we can continue the conference call.
Give me a couple minutes to go to the ladies’/men’s room, and then we can continue the conference call.
15. Let’s buy some used furniture instead of spending a fortune on a new bedroom set.
Let’s buy some pre-owned furniture instead of spending a fortune on a new bedroom set.
Let’s buy some second-hand furniture instead of spending a fortune on a new bedroom set.
16. I heard a rumor that our company is planning on firing several salespeople on Friday.
I heard a rumor that our company is planning on laying off several salespeople on Friday.
I heard a rumor that our company is planning on letting several salespeople go on Friday.
17. Mrs. Smith’s secretary will arrange the meeting and send out a schedule.
Mrs. Smith’s personal assistant will arrange the meeting and send out a schedule.
Mrs. Smith’s assistant will arrange the meeting and send out a schedule.
18. I saw an interesting documentary about prostitutes in Amsterdam.
I saw an interesting documentary about sex workers in Amsterdam.
19. Poor children are more at risk to drop out of high school.
Underprivileged children are more at risk to drop out of high school.
Economically disadvantaged children are more at risk to drop out of high school.
Children from low-income families are more at risk to drop out of high school.
20. Karl is the fat man who sits next to Angela in Accounting.
Karl is the heavyset man who sits next to Angela in Accounting.
21. I had to pick up my friend from a party last night. He was drunk and unable to drive.
I had to pick up my friend from a party last night. He’d had a few too many and was unable to drive.
22. Several students in my English class are from third world countries.
Several students in my English class are from developing countries.
23. I’m unemployed right now, but I hope to find something soon.
I’m between jobs right now, but I hope to find something soon.
I’m out of work right now, but I hope to find something soon.
24. Is the death penalty a possibility in this trial?
Is capital punishment a possibility in this trial?
25. I was very sorry to hear about your grandfather’s death.
I was very sorry to hear about your grandfather’s passing.
I was very sorry to hear that your grandfather passed away.
I was very sorry to hear that you lost your grandfather.
26. We can’t give specifics on the case, but we can inform you that we have arrested someone.
We can’t give specifics on the case, but we can inform you that we have taken someone into custody.
27. Several prisons are hiring. You should apply.
Several correctional facilities are hiring. You should apply.
28. Are there many illegal immigrants in this industry?
Are there many undocumented workers in this industry?
29. Some old people are upset about the government cuts.
Some elderly people are upset about the government cuts.
Some retirees are upset about the government cuts.
Some seniors are upset about the government cuts.
Some pensioners are upset about the government cuts.
30. Our firm has 15 lawyers, all with over 15 years’ experience in family law.
Our firm has 15 attorneys, all with over 15 years’ experience in family law.
31. The war has been controversial because of the accidental civilian deaths.
The armed intervention has been controversial because of the collateral damage.