Conversation Lesson 11: Requesting Others to Do Something

Driver: Yes? Officer: Could you switch off your engine, please, sir? Driver: Certainly, officer. What’s the problem? Officer: Is this your vehicle, sir? Driver: Yes, it is. Officer: May I see the registration information and your driver’s license? Driver: Of course. Here you are, officer. Officer: Did you know that your left rear light is not working? Driver: Really? No, I didn’t know. Officer: You need to have that fixed immediately. Driver: Yes, I will. Thanks for letting me know.

Culture Note When you want someone to do something for you, there are many English expressions you may use, from very formal to informal. Always remember, use the proper expression in the right situation. In English, a mere reply of “No, I can’t,” without any explanation is considered impolite or abrupt. When turning down a request, Americans usually say “I’m sorry I can’t,” and then explain why they are refusing the request.

To request others to do something, you can say Would you be kind enough to... ? Would/Could you (please)... ? Could you possibly... ? Do you think you’d be able to... ? Would/Can you do me a favor? Could you give me a hand? Will you (please)... ? Can you (please)... ? I need...

To accept a request, you can say It would be my pleasure. I’d be glad to. Certainly. Of course. Yes. No problem. Sure. OK.

To decline a request, you can say I’m afraid not. No, (I’m sorry) I can’t. Sorry, I can’t. No way. + explanation

Practice Requesting Others to Do Something Work in pairs. Read each of the following situations and practice requesting others to do something. Note: Accept the first request, but turn down the second request.

Requesting Others to Do Something - Situation 1 You and your roommate. Both of you are students at a university. You are busy preparing for an exam but your roommate is singing along with his/her MP3 music. 1 st request: You ask your roommate to stop singing and turn off his/her MP3 player. 2 nd request: To prepare for the exam quietly, you ask your roommate to leave the room and come back after 11 pm this evening.

Requesting Others to Do Something - Situation 2 You and your teacher. You plan to study abroad. Now you need a letter of recommendation from your teacher. You go to see him/her during office hours. 1 st request: You hope your teacher can write a letter of recommendation for you as soon as possible. 2 nd request: You hope your teacher can write another letter of recommendation for a friend of yours who is also planning to study abroad.

Requesting Others to Do Something - Situation 3 You and your neighbor. You have a 10-year old daughter who is scared of dogs. But your neighbor has a dog that barks and chases your child whenever it sees her. 1 st request: You ask your neighbor to keep the dog tied up when your daughter goes to school in the morning and comes home in the afternoon. 2 nd request: You ask your neighbor to keep the dog tied up at all times.

Requesting Others to Do Something - Situation 4 You and a dentist. One of your teeth is hurting very badly. You want to see a dentist as soon as possible. When you come to the dentist’s office, you speak to the dentist. 1 st request: You hope the dentist can give you the best pain-killing medicine for your toothache. 2 nd request: You hope the dentist can give you more pain-killing medicine for your family members who also suffer from toothaches.