在英语中，当我们对别人提出要求或疑问的时候，使用一般现在时未免语气有些过于直接。比如：“I want to ask you something.” —— 怎样让这句话听上去更客气些？
用法总结
1. 用过去时谈论现在的事，可以避免过于直接，听上去更礼貌。
- I wanted to ask you if you'd make dinner.
- I thought you'd go to the shops.
2. 用进行时代替一般时态，可以显得陈述的事件并非永久性的，从而减弱语气。
- I'm thinking it'd be better if you went.
- I'm hoping you'll do the work.
3. 结合上述两条，用过去进行时，可以进一步弱化语气，可在提出不太合理的要求时使用。
- I was hoping you'd lend your car to me.
- I was thinking about asking him to get the bill.
- I was expecting to use your discount voucher.
