Making Requests in English: A Guide to Polite Communication

Making requests is an essential part of daily communication. Whether you're asking for something or requesting that someone do something, the way you ask can influence the response you receive. In this guide, we will explore different ways to make polite requests in English, offering practical examples to help you understand and use these expressions in everyday life.

Asking for Something

When you need to ask for something, it is important to be polite and respectful. English offers a variety of ways to make such requests, ranging from informal to formal. Here are some common phrases you can use:

• Can I...?
  Example: "Can I have the salt?"
  This is a fairly casual and common way to ask for something.

• Could I...?
  Example: "Could I ask you the time, please?"
  "Could" is a slightly more polite and formal way to ask, often used in situations where you want to be extra courteous.

• Would you mind if...?
  Example: "Would you mind if I borrowed your pen, please?"
  This phrase is used to ask for permission in a polite and indirect way. It softens the request, making it sound less demanding.

• May I...?
  Example: "May I have the bill, please?"
  "May" is more formal than "can" and is often used in professional settings or when speaking to someone older or in a position of authority.

Responding to Requests

When someone makes a request, there are several ways you can respond. These responses depend on whether you agree or not. Here are some examples:

• Saying Yes:
  "Yes, sure."
  "Certainly."
  "Yes, of course."

• Saying No:
  "Sorry, but..."
  "I'm afraid..."
  "Well, the problem is..."

Asking Someone to Do Something

There are different ways to ask someone to do something, which often include the word please to make the request more polite. Here are some examples:

• Could you...?
  Example: "Could you call a taxi for me, please?"
  This is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you.

• Would you...?
  Example: "Would you ask Rose whether she has signed the card, please?"
  This is another polite form for making requests.

• Do you think you could...?
  Example: "Do you think you could come in ten minutes early tomorrow?"
  This is a more indirect way of making a request, often used in a professional context.

• Can you...?
  Example: "Can you wake me up at seven o'clock?"
  This is more casual and is commonly used in everyday interactions.

• Will you...?
  Example: "Will you send me an email tomorrow to remind me to book a hotel?"
  This is another informal way to ask someone to do something.

Asking for Help in a Formal or Informal Setting

Depending on the situation, you might need to adjust your tone and formality when making a request. Let’s look at two examples: one at the post office and one over the phone.

At the Post Office:

• Fabien: "Excuse me. Could you give me your pen for a moment, please?"
• Brad: "I’m really sorry. It doesn’t write well."
• Fabien: "That’s alright."
• Brad: "Would you mind lending me your pen, please?"
• Fabien: "Certainly not. Here you are."
• Brad: "Thank you."

In this example, Brad is polite but faces a challenge when the first pen doesn't work well. He then asks another person using a more formal phrasing, "Would you mind lending me your pen, please?" This shows how polite requests can be made in both casual and more formal ways.

Telephone Messages:

• Secretary: "Good morning, Parker Industries."
• Mr. Kale: "Hello. May I speak to Ms. Graham, please?"
• Secretary: "I’m sorry. She’s not in. Would you like to leave a message?"
• Mr. Kale: "Yes, please. This is Mr. Kale."
• Secretary: "Is that G-A-L-E?"
• Mr. Kale: "No, it’s K-A-L-E."
• Secretary: "All right."
• Mr. Kale: "Please tell her the meeting is on Friday at 2:30."
• Secretary: "Friday at 2:30."
• Mr. Kale: "And would you ask her to phone me this afternoon? My number is 555-4040."
• Secretary: "555-4040. Yes, Mr. Kale. I’ll give Ms. Graham the message."
• Mr. Kale: "Thank you. Goodbye."
• Secretary: "Goodbye."

In this telephone conversation, Mr. Kale makes polite requests to speak to someone and leave a message. He uses phrases like "May I" and "Would you ask" to keep the conversation respectful and courteous.

Role Play Example

Imagine you are a teenager trying to get permission from your strict parent to attend a party. Here's an example of how you might make your request politely:

• Teenager: "Hi, Mum. I was wondering if I could go to a party at my friend’s house this weekend. They’re having it because their parents are away, and the boy/girl of my dreams is going to be there."
• Parent: "I’m not sure. What kind of party is it?"
• Teenager: "It’s going to be fun, but I promise I’ll be careful. It’s not a crazy party, and I’ll come home early."
• Parent: "Well, the problem is... I’m not sure it’s a good idea."
• Teenager: "Please, I’ll be very responsible. Could you give me a chance?"

In this situation, the teenager is making a polite request by using phrases like "I was wondering if..." and "Could you give me a chance?" to sound respectful while trying to persuade the parent.

Conclusion

Making requests is an important skill in English. Whether you are asking for something or asking someone to do something, using polite and indirect phrases will help you communicate effectively. Remember that words like can, could, may, and would are helpful when making polite requests. It’s also important to be aware of the level of formality in your interactions, adjusting your language accordingly depending on the context and the people you are speaking to.