Polite Requests

Asking to do things – asking for permission

There are many different ways of making polite requests in English. If you don't want to sound rude when speaking English, then you need to know how to make a request in a polite way.Requests in English are usually made in the form of questions

Asking others to do things – making requests

Use 'Would you mind if I...? Could I possibly...? Could you possibly...? Do you think you could...? to sound more polite.

Remember that 'Do you mind...?' and 'Would you mind...?' mean 'Is it a problem for you?' so the polite answer when we 'say yes' is 'No'.

Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school

Choose the correct alternative for the following:

• 1. _ I borrow a pen, please?
  
  will
  would
  Could
  
  
• 2. 'I've forgotten my wallet.' - Don't worry. I _ lend you some money if you like.
  
  will
  could
  would
  
  
• 3. _ you like to come to the cinema tonight?
  
  can
  would
  could
  
  
• 4. Do you mind _ the window please?
  
  to close
  closed
  closing
  
  
• 5. Would you mind _ me with these boxes?
  
  if helping
  helping
  help
  
  
• 6. _ I left early tomorrow morning? I have a doctor's appointment.
  
  could
  do you mind if
  Would you mind if