This document provides guidance on making polite requests in English. It begins by explaining the use of "can, could, will, would" and "would you mind" to make requests. Examples of formal and informal requests are given. The importance of using "please" to make a request more polite is also discussed. The document then provides practice exercises, including examples of affirmative and negative responses to requests. Finally, it notes that the response "would you mind..." followed by a gerund can be used to politely request something, and that responding "not at all" means agreeing to the request.

1. 5
Requests: Can, Could,
Will, Would, Would you
mind
Requests in
the Classroom
Focus on Grammar 3
Part III, Unit 13
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Requests
Would you please
write clearly?
Could you work with a
partner on Exercise
4?

3. More Requests
NO!!
I’m sorry,
I can’t. I
don’t
accept late
homework
.
Would you
accept my
homework
late? My
dog ate it.

4. And More Requests
Would you mind
looking over my
assignment? I’m
not sure it’s
right.
And, could I
leave class
ten minutes
early today?

5. And Even More Requests!
Can I borrow your eraser for
a moment?
Will you let me
copy your
homework?
Sure.
NO!!!

6. Formal Requests
Use could and would to make formal requests
(ask someone to do something). Could and would
soften requests and make them more polite.
base form
Could you work
on Exercise 4?

7. Informal Requests
Use can and will for less formal requests.
Can I borrow
your eraser?
base form
Sure.

8. Requests with Please
Use please to make a request more polite. Note the word order.
Would you please open
Would you open your
your books?
books, please?
please

9. Practice 1
Example:
Change the statements into polite
requests using would or could.
Add please.
Open your books.
Would/Could you please open your books?
1. Turn to page twelve.
Would/Could you please turn to page twelve?
Would/Could you please repeat what you said?
2. Repeat what you said.
Would/Could you please
3. Take out your notebooks. take out your notebooks?
4. Pronounce this word.
Would/Could you please pronounce this word ?
5. Write down the answers. write down the answers?
Would/Could you please
6. Tell me what gradeplease tell me what grade I got?
Would/Could you I got.

10. Affirmative Answers to Requests
Affirmative Answers to Requests
When we say yes to a request, we usually use
expressions such as sure, certainly, of course, and no
problem.
Would you
help me
read this?
Of course I
will help
you.

11. Negative Answers to Requests
When we cannot say yes to a request, we usually apologize and give
an explanation.
Would you
accept my
homework
late?
NO!!
I’m sorry, I
can’t. I
can’t
don’t
accept late
homework.
What
she
thinks
What
she
says

12. Practice 2
Imagine you are in these situations.
Make polite requests with Would you
mind. Then think of possible replies.
Example: You are talking to your English teacher.
A: Would you mind explaining a grammar rule to me?
B: Not at all. How can I help you?
1. You are talking to your boss.
2. You want your co-worker to help you.
3. You want your children to clean up their rooms.
4. You want your wife/ husband to help you cook dinner.

13. Would you mind …?
Use would you mind + gerund to make polite requests.
Would you
mind opening
the door for me?
Gerund =
base form
+ -ing

14. Be Careful!
When we answer this type of request with Not at all, it means that we will
do what the person requests.
Would you mind
looking over my
assignment?
I don’t
mind at
all!
Not at all!
OK.
I’ll do
it!

15. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.