In this lesson you 're going to learn some new ways to ask someone

" What's your name?" including one that you can use

when you have forgotten someone 's name.

Now, " What is your name?" was probably one of the first questions

you learned when you started studying English.

I have to tell you though, that most native speakers of English would never say this.

In English, just like in other languages,

it is often more polite to be a little indirect.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid asking the question directly,

is to not ask at all.

Just introduce yourself, and most people will respond

by doing the same.

When introducing yourself, simple is nearly always best.

Just say, " Hi, I'm Alisha ".

To show that you want to know the other person 's name, just add

" and you?" at the end.

" Hi, I'm Alisha, and you?"

Just like before, take out my name, Alisha, and put your name in its place.

After you say this, the other person will tell you his or her name.

Okay. Now let's talk about an embarrassing situation that happens to everybody.

You have already met this person once before, but you have forgotten their name.

The most polite thing to do in this situation is to apologize and ask again.

There's a simple way to do this that's also polite.

" I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

" I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

This sentence is very similar to, " What's your name?"

but it has three important differences.

First we say, " I'm sorry ". A small apology can go a long way.

After that we say, " What was your name?"

This is just like, " What is your name?" but instead of " is "

we use the past tense, " was ".

This is really important as it tells the other person

that you remember meeting them.

You have n't forgotten him or her, you have just forgotten the name.

This little word makes all the difference.

" I'm sorry, what was your name?"

Finally, we add " again " to the end.

This is another hint that tells the other person that you remember learning

his or her name before, but you just can't recall it right now.

" I'm sorry. What was your name again?"

This phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.

Now it's time for Alisha 's advice.

In the United States it's normal to address people by name

in conversation more than once.

In both formal and informal situations, it's a way to show

respect or interest in the other person and can help you make friends.

It is also a great way to practice someone 's name so you don't forget it.

If you are talking to someone named " Ann " for example,

instead of just " What do you do for fun?" you could say

" Ann, what do you do for fun?"

You can also put the name at the end of the sentence.

" What do you do for fun, Ann?"

You don't want to say the person 's name too often or it will sound a little strange.

But if you practice someone 's name like this, you won't forget it,

and people love to hear their own name.