For course

1. Making
Polite Requests
Used in ALL situations,
including with friends

2. American culture (similar in
the UK & Australia) =
We use language to soften our
requests. We’re less direct than
some cultures.
Example:
Costa Rica: Give me the salt.
The US: Please pass me the salt. /
Would you mind passing me the salt?

3. Favorite phrase to make polite
requests:
-Would/Do you mind (verb+ing)?
Would/Do you mind helping me for a
minute?
-Would/Do you mind if I (verb)?
Would/Do you mind if I turn off the
music?

4. Would you mind
helping me with
this project?
Not at all! (Of
course! Sure! I’d
love to.)

5. Other phrases to make polite
requests:
-Could you please….?
Could you please explain that again?
-Would it be possible…?
Would it be possible to explain that
again?
-Could I…?
Could I ask you a question?

6. Other phrases to make polite
requests:
-Would it be ok if…?
Would it be ok if I left early today?
-Do you think…?
Do you think it would be ok if I left early?
-Would you be willing to…?
Would you be willing to take me to work
today?

7. KEY WORDS:
Would * Could * Thank you * Please