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Grammar Guide Communication Guide Intermediate Practice Advanced Practice Scores

1 Formality in spoken and 6 Requests
written English
2 Agreeing 6.1 asking someone to do something in everyday English
3 Disagreeing
can you
4 Apologizing
5 Opinions this is the usual way of asking someone to do something:
6 Requests Can you open the window?
7 Suggestions Can you tell him I’ll call him later?

8 Hello will you

9 Goodbye
10 Thank you
this sounds rather direct and is used especially when telling someone you know well to do simple
things for you:
Please will you pass the salt?
Will you get me another drink from the fridge?

could you/would you/do you think you could

these phrases sound more polite than can you or will you. You use them especially when talking
to people you do not know well, or when asking someone to do something difficult or important:
Could you put this case up on the rack for me?
Do you think you could give her a message?

would you mind/I wonder if you would mind

these phrases sound more polite than could you. You use them especially when talking to
people you do not know well:
Would you mind closing the door?
I wonder if you would mind coming into my office for a minute?
ⓘ If someone asks you Would you mind doing sth?, you can say (No) of course not if you agree
to do what they ask. For example:
‘Would you mind looking after the children for me?’ ‘Of course not. That would be fine.’
If you don’t want to do what someone asks, you usually say I’m afraid/I’m sorry and then give a
reason. For example:
‘Would you mind looking after the children for me?’ ‘I’m afraid I’ve arranged to go out this evening.’

could you possibly/is there any way you could

used when asking someone to do something that is likely to be difficult or inconvenient for them,
when you think the answer could easily be ‘no’:
Is there any way you could change the date of the meeting?
Do you think you could possibly lend me some money until next Friday?

6.2 more formal ways of asking someone to do something

I was wondering if you could/would it be possible for you to

used when asking someone to do something in a very formal and polite way, especially when you
are not sure that they will be able to do what you ask:
I was wondering if you could help me? I’m trying to find the principal’s office.
Would it be possible for you to come in for an interview some time next week?

I would be grateful if you could/I would appreciate it if you could

used in formal letters and in other official contexts:

 I would be grateful if you could send me an application form.
I would appreciate it if you could answer a few questions for me, Mrs Atkins.

would you be so kind as to

an extremely polite phrase, used when speaking very carefully to someone you have never met
before:
Would you be so kind as to fill out this form?
Would you be so kind as to excuse me for a moment (=used when telling someone that you need
to leave them for a few minutes)?

we request that .../you are requested not to do sth

used in official requests and instructions, especially on notices and in announcements:

We request that you turn off your cell phone while you are in the building.
Library users are kindly requested not to bring in food or drink.

6.3 asking for permission in everyday English

can I

this is the usual way of asking for permission to do something:

Can I come with you?
Can I watch the news?
Can we go now?

is it all right if I/is it OK if I

these are other ways of asking for permission to do something which are also commonly used in
everyday English:
Is it all right if I open the window?
Is it OK if I take some time off work?

may I/could I/do you think I could

these phrases sound more polite than can I. You use them especially when talking to people that
you do not know well:
May I come in?
Could I use your phone?
Do you think we could take a five minute break?

do/would you mind if I

these phrases sound more polite than can I. You use them especially when talking to people that
you do not know well:
Do you mind if I call you Chris?
Would you mind if I took your picture?
ⓘ If someone asks you do/would you mind if I?, you can say (No) of course not when giving
them permission. For example:
‘Would you mind if I asked you a question?’ ‘Of course not. Go ahead!’
If you don’t want to give permission, you usually say I’m afraid or I’m sorry but and then give a
reason. For example:
‘Do you mind if I stay a few more minutes?’ ‘I’m sorry but I have another appointment.’

6.4 more formal ways of asking for permission

I was wondering if I could/I was wondering if it might be possible for me to

used when asking someone for permission in a very formal and polite way. Used in spoken
English, and also in formal letters:
I was wondering if I could have a few more days to finish my assignment.
I was wondering if it might be possible for me to come and look around the department.

would it bother you if I

used when asking permission to do something in a very polite way, when you want to be careful
not to cause problems for someone:
 Would it bother you if I put you on our mailing list?
ⓘ If someone asks you would it bother you if I … ? and you say yes, it means that you do not
want them to do it. If you say no, that means that you are happy for them to do it.

with your permission, I’d like to

used when checking with someone if you can do something, especially in official contexts:
With your permission, I’d like to forward your email to our accounts department.

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