When we make requests in English, we ask someone for something, or we ask someone to do something.
Examples of requests in English are
| Can I give you a hand? |
| Could you do me a favor? |
| Would you mind driving me home? |
| Will you take me home? |
As you have probably figured out, there are different ways to make requests in English
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- Grammar Structures to Make Requests in English
- Requests with Could
- Requests with Can
- Requests with Will
- Requests with Want and Need
- Requests with Would…
- Requests with Would you Mind…
- Requests with Do you Mind…
- Make a Request Exchanges
- A Conversation using Requests in English
- Example of Requests and their Answers
Grammar Structures to Make Requests in English
To make requests in English you need to know more about some grammar structures.
- Expressions with could
- Expressions with can
- Expressions with will
- Direct requests with the verbs “need” and “want”
- Expression with would
- Expressions with would you mind
- Expressions with do you mind if
Requests with Could
The structure to make those requests is:
| Could | Pronoun | Verb | Object + ? |
| Could | you | turn off | the fan? |
These are some expressions with could to make requests in English
- Could you give me a hand?
- Could you help me with this problem?
- Could I Borrow your phone for a minute?
- Could you carry this for me please?
- Could you call a taxi for me please?
- Could they wait for me here?
- Could you drive me home?
- Could you please take me to the dentist?
- Could you check the computer?
- Could you make some copies for me please?
Requests with Can
The structure to make those requests is:
| Can | Pronoun | Verb | Object + ? |
| Can | you | turn off | the fan? |
These are some expressions with can to make requests in English
- Mom, can you wake me up at seven o’clock?
- Can I have the menu?
- Can you pass me the newspaper?
- Can you buy the ticket for me?
- Can I borrow some money for the tickets?
- Can you help me with these reports?
- Can we have the day off tomorrow?
- Can you stop by my house?
Requests with Will
The structure to make those requests is:
| Will | Pronoun | Verb | Object + ? |
| Will | you | turn off | the fan? |
These are some expressions with will to make requests in English
- Will you carry this for me?
- Will you drive me to the airport?
- Will you take my daughter home?
- Will you buy me a couple of drinks if I give you the money?
- Will you send me that important document?
- Will you send me an email with the files we prepared?
Requests with Want and Need
The structure to make those requests is:
| I | Need / Want | you | Verb | Objeto |
| I | need | you | to call | Miss Smith |
| I | want | you | to call | Miss Smith |
These are some expressions with need and want to make requests in English
- I need you to go to my office
- She needs you to run a few errands
- I want you to go to the hospital
- She wants you to work overtime
Requests with Would…
The structure to make those requests is:
| Would | Pronoun | Verb | Object + ? |
| Would | you | turn off | the fan? |
These are some expressions with would to make requests in English
- Would you like to go to the club?
- Would you like to help me please?
- Would you like to buy some groceries for me?
- Would you be kind enough to repair my computer?
- Would you be willing to help us fix our car tomorrow morning?
Requests with Would you Mind…
The structure to make those requests is:
| Would you mind | Verb | Object + ? |
| Would you mind | turning off | the fan? |
These are some expressions with wold you mind to make requests in English
- Would you mind closing the door?
- Would you mind paying for my lunch?
- Would you mind driving me home?
- Would you mind helping me with my math homework?
- Would you mind carrying this suitcase?
- Would you mind turning off the TV?
- Would you mind turning off the radio?
- Would you mind collecting my suit from the dry cleaner’s, please?
Requests with Do you Mind…
The structure to make those requests is:
| Do you mind | If I | Verb | Object + ? |
| Do you mind | If I | turn off | the fan? |
These are some common expressions with do you mind
| Do you mind if I close the window? |
| Do you mind if I use your phone for a quick call? |
| Do you mind if we stop by the supermarket? |
| Do you mind if we get back home now? |
| Do you mind if we stop by my mother’s house? |
Make a Request Exchanges
These are some exchanges that can be made
- I need to buy a product on amazon
- Sure, Can I have your credit card number?
- Would you mind helping me with the suitcases?
- Yes, of course
- My computer is not working, Could you help me?
- Sure
- I need a laptop, could you help me ?
- Yes, come over here
- Could you lend me a few dollars?
- sure, no problem
- Can I Take the day off?
- Sure, just talk to Kathy from Human Resources
- Can you have a look at the computer?
- Probably later, I am busy
- Can you make an appointment for me?
- Sure, what’s the best time for you
A Conversation using Requests in English
This is a basic example of a conversation in which requests are made
- John: Hi, Do you need any help?
- Luis: Thanks for asking, can you help me with this homework?
- John: Sure, no problem but I don’t know much about math
- Luis: Would you mind asking Derek if he could help us?
- John: Yeah, sure, can you send me his phone number?
- Luis: Alright, check your Whatsapp
Example of Requests and their Answers
These are some examples of requests in English and some possible answers
Can you teach me French?
- Sure, but I’m busy these days
- No, I can´t, because I don´t know French.
- I don’t know anything about French.
- Sorry I don’t speak French but I’ll try
- Sure, can you on Friday?
Can you explain Algebra in your Free Time?
- Yes, of course I can at 3pm
- Sorry but I don’t have free time
- Yes, I can. I love Algebra.
- I couldn’t teach you algebra because that subject is difficult for me.
- Yes, but let me find my Algebra notebook
- yes, It would be a pleasure to share my knowledge
- Are you crazy?, I am not good with algebra
Could you participate in a meeting on Wednesday at 6 PM?
- I cannot. I have to work
- I can participate in the meeting that day and at that time.
- I’m busy that day, I have classes
- Yes, I could be there, no problem!
- I would like to, but that day I have an interview.
- I’m sorry. I have a meeting with my family on that night.
- Yes, I could attend, but I´d be 10 minutes late.
- Yes of course I can participate in the meeting on Wednesday.
- I’m sorry, I won’t be able to
- I would like to, but I can´t, I have classes at 6 PM.
Could you write an article for the newspaper?
- Yes, but I need time
- Sure, when do you need it?
- of course, on what topic?
- Yes, I will think about the article
- Sure, about what?
Would you mind working during the holy week?
- I’m sorry I’m going on vacation
- Sorry, but I need to spend time with my family
- No, I don’t have a problem with that. I could do it
Would you mind working all night long on the project?
- Of course, so we can finish it quickly and before the date
- I’m sorry I’m going on vacation
Would you work next Sunday?
- No I cannot. I have an appointment
- No, I wouldn’t, It’s my day off.
- No, It´s my day off.
- I’m sorry, I can`t, I have plans
- I’m sorry but I don’t work on Sundays
- I don’t think so, I already have plans for that day
- Yes, I would work next Sunday, no problem
- No problem, see you on Sunday
Would you work on December 25th?
- I wish I could take the day off
- Of course not. I would like to spend with my family
- I will be with my family, sorry
- Sorry I can’t, I have a meeting with my family.
- Only if you pay me for the day of work
I need you to work on January First
- Yes, I can do it
- Of course, I will be there
- I’m sorry I can’t, but Juan could help you.
- I can’t work that day, ask José
- Sure, I can do that
- Sorry, I have trips with the family
- I’m sorry I can’t, I’ll be with my family
- Sorry, I wont be available on January first
- Sorry, I can´t, my family is first
- sorry I´m at the beach.
I need you to create formulas using Microsoft Excel
- Sure, I’m working at this moment, can you give me a five minutes?
- Sure, I am good at using the Excel Program
- Yes, of course, It is very easy to use Microsoft Excel.
- Sure, I’ll do it right away.
- I am really sorry, I don’t know how to create formulas
- Sorry, I am bad at using Exel, but I could learn.
I want you to create a logo using Canva
- Oh I’m sorry, I don’t understand Canva, but Charly can you help
- Sorry I can’t, I’m working on an important report at the moment.
- I can’t help you, I’m not creative using Canva.
- I am sorry but I can’t at the moment, but I think Jorge can help you.
- Sorry!, I don’t use Canva
- Sorry, I don’t like working with canva
- Sure, I can do that task
I want you to make a Prezi Presentation
- Sure, I can start right now.
- Sure, It will be ready in 30 minutes.
- Sure, when do you need it?
- Yes, of course but I don’t like to make presentations on Prezi
- Of course, count on me
- What is Prezi?
- Yes of course but I have never used Prezi I use PowerPoint
