You're learning with nine to five English business English for the workplace
Hi Tim here with another
nine-to-five English lesson. In today's lesson
We're going to learn how to make requests in English.
There's a reason why making requests is one of the first things
english-speaking parents teach their children.
It's because we can't get along in life and that includes work without
asking people to give us things or to do things for us. In
some situations our
Requests can be quite direct.
For example with people, you know, well or colleagues you don't need to be too formal.
In this case you can make a question with
can you or
could I get you to
That's a simple and direct way to ask someone to do something
How about a bit of practice making direct requests? We'll try some examples
Listen to each example then repeat it yourself ready. Let's get started
Can you help me with this presentation
Take this down to the printer for me, please
Could I get you to make a pot of coffee?
I need those documents right away
As you heard one very easy way to make a direct request
Is to tell someone to do something
followed by please
That's alright when you have a close working relationship with someone or when you are the boss
But that can sound too direct in many situations
if you're not sure, then you should really try to be more careful or polite and
being polite
Requires more than just adding please to the end of a sentence
the two most useful words for making careful requests are could and
would
you might say
could you or
Would you do something?
but using a longer
Expression will make your request even more polite
that might mean saying
Do you think you could do something?
or
Would you mind doing something or?
Even would it be possible to do something?
Let's try some practice with these expressions for making careful requests
once again, repeat the examples
After you hear them
Do you think you could give me a hand with this
Would you mind passing me those files please
If you're not too busy, could you look over my resume
Would it be possible for you to give me a ride
Nice work and did you notice the if
question in those examples
Adding an if statement can make a question with could you?
extra polite
For example, you might say if you have a bit of time. Could you review my report now?
What if someone makes that request to you
If a colleague asks you to review his report, how can you respond?
well
Just like responding to offers
It's not usually enough just to say yes or no
We usually add something to the basic answer
If you want to say, yes, you might add. No problem, or I can do that and
If the answer is no
You might explain why you can't or say that you're afraid you can't
In this case saying I'm afraid
Doesn't mean you're scared. It just means I'm sorry, but
Let's try some more practice this time. You'll be responding to requests. Here we go
Sure, not a problem
Yeah, I can do that
Sorry, but I'm a bit too busy
I'm afraid I won't be able to
Did you notice that none of those examples used the words yes or no?
for yes, we often say sure or yeah and
instead of no which can sound too direct we can use sorry or
Nothing at all
okay, so we've practiced making and
responding to requests
But now let's see how this sounds in a conversation
Let's listen to a short dialogue between Paul and Laura
Paul needs some help with the accounts he's working on so he's asking Laura to help him
Do you think you could help me with the accounts?
Sorry, but I'm a bit too busy today
Okay, then what about tomorrow?
Yeah, I can do that
As you heard Laura says no to Paul's first request
But she agrees to his second one
Now it's your turn to practice
Will repeat the dialogue but this time we're going to be bout the second speakers words
You will have to say those parts yourself
Remember to say no to the first request but agree to the second one
Do you think you could help me with the accounts?
Okay, then what about tomorrow
Okay that just about does it for this lesson we've learned some great ways to make and
respond to requests
We'll be back soon with another
9 to 5 English lesson
Until then so long and happy learning