be so kind as to
15
6.2
- idiom
- Formal
:
ser tan amable de
- Would you be so kind as to read this report for me?
- perhaps you would be so kind as to
- be so kind as to tell
- be so kind as to bring
Alex, would you be so kind as to illuminate us on the situation for this particular high quality device?
- Alex, would you be so kind as to illuminate us on the situation for this particular high quality device?
Examples
-
I was just wondering if you could be so kind as to tell me what room...
-
"Would you be so kind as to pour me another cup of tea?" said Bertie sweetly.
Fiction book (1990) -
Would you please be so kind as to read it, sir?
-
Please, please would you be... so kind as to tell me what happened?
-
"Would you be so kind as to bring more tea?
Fiction book (1990) -
Would you be so kind as to explain why?
Fiction book (2002) -
If you would be so kind as to wait in the carriage.
-
If so, would you be so kind as to provide references that show that?
Blog text (22) -
Mr. W., would you be so kind as to remove any firearms from your person?
-
Perhaps you would be so kind as to help me find the owner of this rather remarkable shoe?
Synonyms
1
3.0
Ask someone politely to help you with something
Antonyms
How Polite
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase literally combines 'be' + 'so' (intensifier) + 'kind' (helpful) with 'as to' introducing the requested action, so the overall meaning — politely asking someone to do something — follows directly from the constituents. This polite formula is cross-linguistically common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the component words should be able to infer the intended request meaning.
Etymology
Be so kind as to comes from the simple idea of asking someone to be kind enough to help or do something. So, when people say it now, they are making a very polite request, like asking someone to 'do something' for them.