Requests

• English
• Secundair onderwijs

Requests

Formal language

Requests

We use could you … and would you … as polite ways of telling or asking someone to do something:
                  * Could you take a message, please?
                  * Would you carry this for me, please?

can and will are less polite:

                  * Can you take a message, please?
                  * Will you carry this for me, please?

Offers

We use 'can I …' to make offers:
                * Can I help you?
                * Can I do that for you?
We can also use 'shall I …':
                * Shall I help you with that?
                * Shall I call you on your mobile?

Invitations

We use 'would you like (to) ...' for invitations:

               * Would you like to come round tomorrow?
               * Would you like another drink?

could

• to ask somebody to do something
  
• to ask for permission
• (more polite)

may/would/will

• May: to ask for or give permission(polite)
  

                   May I speak to you for a second?

                   Yes, you may use my laptop.

                   No, you may not use my laptop.

• Would: to ask somebody to do something

• Would you like:  to make an offer or invitation

                   Would you like another chocolate?

                  Would you like to go out?

• Will: to ask somebody to do something

                  Peter, will you come here for a minute?(very polite)

                  Would you carry my bags for me,please?

shall

Shall I ... :to offer to do something

                      Shall I answer the phone for you?

Request

Offers/invitations

Could you lend me £50?

Would you help me with my homework?

Can I carry your bag for you?

Shall I meet you at the airport?

Would you like to go out toninght?

Will you be quiet, please?

Can yout shut that window?

Would you like a cup of tea?

Can I carry your bag for you?

1. Yes, of course. Sorry.
2. Thank you, yes. It is rather heavy.
3. No, that's OK. I'll get a taxi.
4. Maybe. When could you give it back?

Will you be quiet, please?

1. No problem. What is it?
2. Sure. What do you want to do?
3. In a while. It's too hot in here.
4. Yes, of course. Sorry.

Would you help me with my homework?

1. Yes, of course. Sorry.
2. Sure. What do you want to do?
3. No problem. What is it?
4. Yes, please. That would be lovely.

Could you lend me £50?

1. No problem. What is it?
2. Maybe. When could you give it back?
3. Sure. What do you want to do?
4. In a while. It's too hot in here.

Would you like to go out tonight?

1. Sure. What do you want to do?
2. Yes, please. That would be lovely.
3. Yes, of course. Sorry.
4. No, that's OK. I'll get a taxi.

Formal

Informal

What is this regarding?

Could you spell your last name?

Who's calling?

When can you be reached?

What is the best way to reach you?

What time are you available?

Complete the questions

Can I _____________ you something to drink?

Would you _____________ if I closed the window?

Would you like _____________ come skating with us?

Can I _____________ you a hand?

_____________ you possibly lend me a pen, please?

Dad says we _____________ borrow his bicycle if we’re careful.

You _____________ carry this, could you?

_____________ you be free for lunch on Saturday?

Make the question/sentence

I want to join you(could)

I want to leave (could)

I want to leave early today (mind)

I want to pay (Can)

Lend me your car! (Could)

I want to join you! (All right)

I want to talk to your boss. (can)

I want to eat. (Mind)

Give me a lift (Could)

Give me a lift (Can)

I want to go (mind)

I want to go (All right)

Complete the questions

Charlotte, ______________ send me the document by email?

Teacher: Marco, ______________ erase the blackboard for me?
Marco: _________________, teacher.

Student: _________________ help me with my homework, please?
Teacher: Of course!

Teacher, ______________ explain this grammar to me again, please?

Sandy, ________________ photocopy these letters right away?

A: _________ you show me how to use this computer software?
B: _________________. How can I help?

Make the question/sentence

You're a child and you formally ask a teacher for permission to leave the room.

Ask for permission to not attend the meeting. You're feeling polite.

Ask for permission not to call John. Use informal language.

When you ask someone for something, you are asking permission.

Which phrases do we use for the following?

Ask if you can do something

Say yes.

Ask someone else to do something

Say no.

Can I

Would you mind...

Is it alright if...

Can you...

Do you mind if I...

Sure

Certainly

I'm afraid not.

Of course not.

Asking permission - Saying yes and no

These sentences ask the same thing but in different ways.

Could I possibly open the window? (Is it ok if I...?)

* Yes, of course.

Do you mind if I open the window? (Do you have a problem if I...?)

* No, not at all.

Asking permission - Saying yes and no

So remember:

Do you mind if I open the window?

No = Yes AND Yes = No

Asking permission - Saying yes and no

So remember:

Do you mind if I open the window?

No = Yes      AND      Yes = No

Asking permission - Saying Yes

Can I...?

Could I...?

Could I possibly...?

Is it alright if I...?

Do you think I could...?

Do you mind if I...?

- Yes, of course

- Yes, sure.

- That's fine.

- Certainly

- No, not at all.
- Of course not.

Asking permission - Saying No

Can I...?

Could I...?

Could I possibly...?

Is it alright if I...?

Do you think I could...?

Do you mind if I...?

- Well, I'm afraid...

- Well the problem is that...

- Sorry, but...

When you ask someone to do something, you are making requests.

Asking permission - Saying yes and no
What is the correct way to say 'Yes' to this question?
* Could I possibly open the window?

1. Yes, of course.
2. No, not at all.

Asking permission - Saying yes and no
What is the correct way to say 'Yes' to this question?
* Do you mind if I open the window?

1. Yes, of course.
2. No, not at all.

What is the correct answer?

"Could I go to the bathroom?"

1. No, not at all.
2. Certainly, yes.

What is the correct answer?

"Do you mind if I borrow your car?"

1. Certainly, yes.
2. No, not at all.

What is the correct question?

"Do you mind _____ that pen?"

1. passing
2. pass

What is the correct question?

"Could you _____ me a call later?"

1. giving
2. give

What is the correct question?

"Would you mind _____ me home?"

1. taking
2. take

Put the words in the correct order.

me / you / Can / a / lend / pencil ?

Put the words in the correct order.

here / I / mind / if / you / sit / Do ?

Put the words in the correct order.

speak / please / more / you / Could / slowly ?

Put the words in the correct order.

bag / minute / you / after / mind / a / Would / for / looking / my ?

Put the words in the correct order.

possibly / $20 / borrow / I / Could ?

Put the words in the correct order.

mind / your / down / turning / Would / you / music ?