Spoken English I: Making Formal and Informal Requests

Spoken English I
Making Formal and Informal Requests

I. Introduction
 If you observe the ways native English speakers speak to
someone, you will find uses of “please,” “sorry,” “excuse
me,” “thanks,” and the like.
 These words are used by people who love being polite.

Politeness is a virtue. People who are polite and are of good
manners are loved by all. Their requests are earnestly
considered and accepted by the people surrounding them.
 Making requests means you are asking something from

someone, or you are asking someone to do something for
you.
 Thus you need to request in such a convincing way that the

person happily accepts your request. But how?
 Politeness in the choice of your words and expressions is
the key to making requests.
 Using the word “please” as well as some modal verbs like

“could” and “would” can have a polite effect on the
request.
 There are different ways of asking for something. We
usually ask for something in a polite and indirect way, for
example, using can, could, would you mind if, may etc.
 Remember! Your tone and body language also matter

while you make any request to someone.
 However, the way you make requests may vary

depending on the situation: formal and informal.
II. Making Formal Requests
Possible ways of making formal requests:
A. Would you please…
Examples:
Would you please pass the salt?
Would you please take me with you?
B. Would you mind …
Examples:
Would you mind if you passed the salt?
Would you mind taking me with you?
C. Do you mind …
Examples:
Do you mind if you open the window?
Do you mind opening the window?
D. Do you think you could …
Examples:
Do you think you could write a letter on behalf of all of us?
Do you think you could pass the file to me?
E. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to…
Examples:
I was wondering if it would be possible for you to send me
the e-mail again.
I was wondering if it would be possible for you to call me
again this afternoon.
F. I was wondering if you could …
Examples:
I was wondering if you could write a letter for me.
I was wondering if you could do me a favour.
G. Is there any chance that you could …
Examples:
Is there any chance that you could finish the task by tonight?
Is there any chance that you could arrange the meeting
tomorrow?
H. Would it be alright if you…?
Examples:
Would it be alright if you attend the whole seminar?
Would it be alright if you do this for me?
I. May / Could I …?
Examples:
May I have your name, please?
Could I have the bill, please?
J. I/ We would be grateful if you could …
 In formal letters and formal emails, we can use the
following expressions:
Examples:
I would be grateful if you could send me more information about
the course.
We would be most grateful if you could send someone to meet us
at the airport as we do not speak Japanese.
Formal request: A sample dialogue
A: Could I have the salt?
B: Of course, here you are.
A: I was wondering if you could tell the time.
B: No problem. It’s quarter past four.
A: Would you mind if I borrowed your pen, please?
B: No, I wouldn’t! Here you are.
A: May I have the bill, please? (May is more formal.)
B: Certainly, Madam.
III. Making informal requests
We sometimes use can I, can you and will you to make

requests but they are more informal. Have a look at the
following examples:
Can you pass the box?

Can you do it for me?
Can I have some more water?
Can you make it happen now?
Will you go there?
Will you send me the files?
Will you buy the things?
IV. Grammatical structures in making requests
Note the following forms:
1. ‘mind’ can be followed by gerund or if-clause.
Examples: Would you mind if you open the door?
Do you mind joining us?
2. Would you / Could you /Can you / Will you+ bare infinitive
Examples: Could you join us?
Can I have some sugar?
Would you help me?
Will you send me the letter later?
3. … be possible for you + infinitive with ‘to’
Example: I was wondering if it would be possible for you to do
me a favour.
4. A: "Would you mind giving me your book? “
B: ______________.
The response to the above request is either:
"No, I don't mind"(which is a positive response to the

request. It means that I accept to lend you my book)
or
"Yes, I do" (which is a negative response to the request. It
means that I don't want to lend you my book.)
Exercise on structures in requests
Directions: Complete each sentence with the correct form of
the verb in parentheses.
1. Would you please _______ (close) the door?
2. Would you mind _______ (switch) off the lights?
3. Do you mind _______ (send) me the file again?
4. Do you think you could _______ (attend) the party
tomorrow?
5. I was wondering if it would be possible for you ______
(make) a copy of this letter for me.
6. Can you _______ (bring) me the pen?
7. Would mind if you ________ (explain) the points to me?

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Spoken English I

Making Formal and Informal Requests

 These words are used by people who love being polite.

 Making requests means you are asking something from

 Thus you need to request in such a convincing way that the

 Using the word “please” as well as some modal verbs like

 Remember! Your tone and body language also matter

 However, the way you make requests may vary

We sometimes use can I, can you and will you to make

Can you pass the box?

The response to the above request is either:

"No, I don't mind"(which is a positive response to the

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