YON ENGLISH COM.: REQUEST

REQUEST FOR SOMETHING OR TO DO SOMETHING, RESPONSE : ACCEPT AND REFUSE

REQUEST is a daily expression used to ask someone for something or ask someone to do something.

there are four subtopics of REQUEST to discuss : 1) asking someone for something, 2) asking someone to do something, 3) accepting a request, and 4) refusing a request.

A. ASKING FOR SOMETHING

There are different ways of asking for something: a polite way, and an direct way.

a, Polite way :
1. Can I .....
- Can I borrow your pen, please ?
- Can I have the salt ?
- Can't I sit beside you ?

2. May I ....
- May I borrow your pen, please (more formal)

5. Would you mind ....... ?
Would you mind if I borrow your dictionary ?

b. Direct way
1. need It is very direct and is usually used to urgent request.
- I need a doctor
- O meed the fire extinguisher. Fast !

2. I want is very direct and can sound impolite. We don't
normally use it to make request unless we want to very direct.
- I want to speak to the manager right now. I am not
leaving here until I get my money back !

B. ASKING SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING

There are some ways to asking someone to do something in a polite way and indirect way. We often use please to make our request more polite.

a. Polite way

1. Can you .....
- Can you give me the book ?

2. Could you ..., . please
- Could you call a taxi for me, please ?

3. Would you...., please
- Would you ask Mr. Black whether he hes got his lunch or
not, please ?

4. Would you mind...., please
- Would you mind taking my bag to my room, please ?
- Would you mind repairing my laptop ?

5. Do you think you could..... ?
- Do you think you could come ten minutes earlier
tomorrow before the class ?
- Do you think you could take me to the market ?

6. I wonder
- I wonder if you could write me a proposal ?

7. We need is often used to work contexts by a boss or manager
to ask for something to be done in a polite way.
- We need to email the contract to Peter immediately.
- we need someone to go the the meeting in Paris on
Wednesday, Bill l can't go.

b. More informal

We sometimes use can you and will you to make request but
they are more informal.
- Mum, can you wake me at seven o'clock ?
- Will you phone me an hour before the meeting ?

2. you wouldn't ..... would you or You couldn't ..... could you ?
These expressions are used when we are not sure if someone
will be able to do what we ask.
- You wouldn't repair my laptop, would you ?
- You couldn't stop at this moment, could you ?

8, I would be grateful if you could ....
It is used in formal letters or formal emails
- I would be grateful if you could send me more information
about this case ?

C. RESPOND TO ACCEPT A REQUEST

1. yes
2. Ok
3. Sure
4. all right
5. Certainly
6. It's a pleaasure
7. My pleasure sir.

D. RESPOND TO REFUSE A REQUEST

1. I'm afraid, I ...... (give your reason)
2. I'd like to, but ..... (give you reason)
3. I'm sorry, I can't

E. EXAMPLES OF DIALOGUE

Dialogue 1
Sales : What I can do for you sire ?
Customer : I'm looking for a pair of shoes. would you mind take me some ?
Sales : Yes, please wait a minute, Sir. I will take them for you.
Customer : OK, thank you. But could you turn on the air conditioner please? I feel so hot.
Sales : My pleasure sir.

Dialogue 2
Susan : Hi Lusi. You look so busy. What are you doing ?
Lusi : Oh, Hi Susan. I'm preparing my birthday party.
Can you help me ?
Susan : Oh it sounds great! Sure I can help you What
can I do for you ?
Lusi : Get some balloons and some colorful lights !
Susan : Yes of course.
Lusi : Ummm Susan, Could you help me to set the table.
Susan : Sure.

dialogie 3
Jame ; Hello, Ricky, What are you doing ?
Ricky : I am repairing my computer. Could you help me ?
Jame : I. d like to but I should finish my paper first. I
will do your request after after it. I'm sorry.
Ricky : Never mind, Thanks anyway.