MakingPoliteRequests.pptxEnglishOnlineInc

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Polite Requests
Lunch&Learn
(CLB3-4)
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email us at info@myenglishonline.ca

Introduction – Polite Requests
There are a few ways to make requests or
ask permission in English.
Today, we’ll look at some formal and
informal ways to ask for something we
need or want.
We use modals to make requests sound
polite.
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Modals – The tools for requests and permission
What are modals…?
Modals are helping verbs.
• can/could
• will/would
• may/might
are used to make requests or ask permission. The ones we choose depends
upon the formality of our request.
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Introduction – Polite Requests
Video Clip: BBC Learning English
Let’s look at how modals help to make
requests more polite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWB
wCoecvkM&ab_channel=BBCLearningEng
lish
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Vocabulary
Polite (adjective): behaving in a way that is not rude and shows that you are
thinking about others.
Request (noun): a question which politely asks for something
Permission (noun): to allow someone to do something
Formal (adjective): not relaxed or casual
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Requests and permission:
1. Think of places and times where you
need to make a request or ask
permission.
2. What are some more formal requests?
3. What are some informal requests?
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Formal requests:
• For time off (with a boss)
• To come to work a little late
• For help at a business (with customer
service agents)
• With a stranger
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Informal requests:
• To borrow a friend’s car
• To borrow a friend’s phone
• With family members
• To borrow a pen
• To eat the last cookie
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Modals – The tools for requests and permission:
1. Can
2. Could
3. May
4. Might
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1. Can (informal)
The modal “can” is used for making informal requests – usually most often with
people we know.
Pattern:
To make a request:
Can + subject + base verb
Examples: Can you help me make dinner?
Can I borrow the car, mom?
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2. Could (more formal than can)
The modal “could” is used for making more formal requests.
Pattern:
To make a request:
Could + subject + base verb
Examples: Could you tell me where the bus stop is?
Could I borrow your pen?
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3. May (even more formal)
The modal “may” is used for making formal requests. We use it when making an
extra effort to be polite, with people we don’t know well.
*NOTE: “May” is only used with “I” or “We”
Pattern:
To make a request:
May + subject + base verb
Examples: May I borrow your phone?
May we join you?
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4. Might (very formal and not common)
The modal “might” is rarely used for requests.
Pattern:
To make a request:
Might + subject + base verb
Examples: Might I borrow your phone?
Might you be late tonight?
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What about “Please” and “Thank You”?
Use “please” to sound more polite. You can use it at the beginning, in the
middle, or at the end of a sentence.
“Please” comes before the verb at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
Examples:
• Please call me when you have time.
• Could I please take tomorrow off?
• Can I have another cookie, please?
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Other ways to make polite requests:
These are some other ways to make polite requests:
• Do you mind …
if I come with you?
working late tonight?
• Is it ok …
if I come with you?
if you work late tonight?
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Do you mind? (some tips):
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Understanding a response to the question “Do you mind if…” can be tricky.
You need to:
1. listen for the tone and
2. look at the body language.
Q: Do you mind if we park here?
A: Of course! [smiling] (Of course I don’t mind.)
A: Sure! [smiling] (Sure, it’s fine.)
A: Absolutely not. [smiling] (I don’t mind at all.)
A: Actually, I do mind. (or yes, I do) (It’s not okay.)
If you are STILL UNSURE, follow up with a direct question:
Q: Are you sure its okay?
A: Yes, it’s fine

https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-shop-1204038/ shared under CC0
Let’spractice!
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-shop-1204038/ shared under CC0

Let’s Practice.
Formal or informal? What is a request you could ask from:
1. The stranger at the bus stop.
2. Your English teacher.
3. Your sister.
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https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/ shared under CC0

Let’s Practice.
4. Your teenage son.
5. The customer service agent at the airport.
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Let’s Practice.
6. The receptionist at the medical clinic.
7. Your neighbor.
8. The pharmacist.
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Let’s Practice.
9. The cashier at the market.
10. A telemarketer.
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Let’s Practice.
Who would you ask for the following? (formal/informal)
How would you ask?
1. I need to go shopping, but I don’t have a car.
2. The dog needs a walk, but I don’t have time.
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Let’s Practice.
Who would you ask for the following? (formal/informal)
How would you ask?
3. I need to move the sofa but I can’t do it alone.
4. I am sick and need to go to the hospital.
5. I need to practice my English but I don’t have anyone to practice
with.
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You are at a restaurant. Use these words to make a request.
1. bill or check
2. reservation
3. drink
a) You are thirsty.
b) You have finished your food and want to pay.
c) You want to come back next week.
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You are staying at a hotel. Use these words/phrases to make
a request.
1. extra towels
2. another room key card
3. the wi-fi password
a) You want to go swimming.
b) You need to use the internet on your device.
c) You have lost your room key card.
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Requests and Responses – Approvals (YES!)
Here are some examples of strong responses:
Strong Approval:
• Of course.
• Sure.
• Absolutely.
• Be my guest.
• You don’t (even) have to ask. (yes)
• By all means.
• Anytime!
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Requests and Responses: Approvals (YES)!
Here are some examples of weak responses:
Weak Approval:
• I guess.
• If you must.
• Fine.
• Go ahead.
• It’s fine by me, but ask…
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Requests and Responses: Refusals (NO)!
Here are some examples of strong responses:
Strong Refusal:
• No way.
• Absolutely not.
• Not a chance.
• Good try.
• Not happening.
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Requests and Responses: Refusals (NO)!
Here are some examples of (softer) responses:
Soft Refusal:
I’m sorry, but...
I’m afraid not.
I’m afraid that is not allowed.
I wish you could, but...
Sorry. Not today.
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ROLE PLAY: Scenario 1:
Person A: You are a customer at the market. You would like to know the
price of an item.
Person B: You are a cashier at the market.
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Person A:You need to work a little late tonight. You need to know if your
neighbor can watch your daughter for a half hour.
Person B: You are the neighbor.
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Person A: The same telemarketer phones you every day at 5:00 pm.
Person B: You are the telemarketer.
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Person A: You would like to check out a little later from the hotel.
Person B: You are the desk agent.
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Person A: You are 16 years old and want to borrow the family car to drive
around late with your friends.
Person B: You are the parent.
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Person A: You would like to switch airplane seats with the person next to
you.
Person B: You are the other person.
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Person A: Your meal at the restaurant arrives undercooked.
Person B: You are the server.
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Person A: Your neighbor plays music loud every night.
Person B: You are the neighbor.
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Person A: You need to take some time off from work.
Person B: You are a kind and understanding supervisor.
(OPTION 2): You are a grumpy and impatient supervisor.
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Questions?
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https://pixabay.com/photos/cup-of-coffee-laptop-office-macbook-1280537/ shared under CC0

HOMEWORK – Make a request for each of the following
situations. Make your request as polite as possible, and use
the correct level of formality.
1. You need to take Friday off. Ask your boss.
2. You need to borrow your parent’s car.
3. You would like to use a stranger’s pen.
4. You would like to use a good friend’s cell phone.
5. You would like to change seats on the airplane.
6. You would like more coffee at a restaurant.
7. You need your teenager to clean their room.
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HOMEWORK: The details:
1. Submit your homework to Lori on Skype: live:loramoren
2. After class, you have until the 11:59 pm the same day to complete the assignment.
3. I will correct the homework and offer feedback. 

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references and idioms?
Check English Online’s Facebook and Instagram
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Sources:
https://www.off2class.com/teaching-polite-requests/
https://eslfriend.com/making-requests/
https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1754-making-requests
https://app.ellii.com/lesson/4415-asking-for-time-off
https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1750-asking-for-permission
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Thankyou!
Lori Morency
Skype: live:loramoren
livelearn.ca

Thankyou!
Blaine
broberts@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca
1-204-946-5140
Website:
livelearn.ca
Email:
info@myenglishonline.ca

MakingPoliteRequests.pptxEnglishOnlineInc

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