Hi and welcome to our new series on pragmatics. In this first episode we look
at making requests in English. Think about this.
How might someone feel if you ask them to:
hold open the door
lend you $5
lend you $100
And how do you feel when you make a request but the other person says no.
Knowing how to make requests well is important for our relationships with people.
In English and probably in your first language, the request language you choose will depend on two main things.
Easier = less formal
More formal = more complex
Easier = more simple language
More complex language
Let's look at an easy example. Mary and Tony are close friends or family.
Can you help me wash the dishes?
Now let's look at another example
Here, Mary and Tony don't know each other very well.
Excuse me?
Yeah?
Would you mind holding the door for me?
Sure.
Thanks.
No problem.
Let's look at this more closely.
Now, let's look at a bigger request and see how both Mary and Tony manage it.
I was just wondering.
Uh-huh.
Well you know we're moving apartments this weekend?
Mm-hmm.
Well, there are a few heavy things like the bed.
Do you want a hand?
Have you got time?
About an hour or so.
Are you sure?
Yeah no problem.
That would be a massive help. Thanks
Let's look at this carefully
Remember, the request you make will depend on two main things:
the relationship you have with the other person and the size of the request.
Knowing how to make a request correctly is important for our relationship with
other people. Don't forget to check out our other video lessons on our
Chasing Time English TV channel.
We'll see you next time