Polite requests and questions | Spoken English

In this spoken English lesson, you will learn several methods to make polite requests and ask questions. They are examples of formal English.

A request is when we ask someone for something, either an object or perhaps asking someone to do something for us. Since we are asking for help, it is important to be polite.
We must avoid being too direct.

Examples of being too direct in English:
Help me, please.
Give me some sugar.
Can you fix my car?
These are all correct. The English grammar is correct. The other person will understand you but these requests are too direct and aggressive. People will be offended.

Here are some structures to ask politely for something in spoken English. These are very useful, particularly in business English situations.

Could you .. ?
Could you + base form of verb ?
Example: Could you carry my bags?

Would you mind .. ?
Would you mind + ing form of verb … ?
Example: Would you mind helping me?

I wonder if you could .. ?
I wonder if you could + base form of verb … ?
Example: I wonder if you could mind my phone?

Negative statements with question tags
You couldn't + base form of verb + could you?
Example: You couldn't help me, could you?

You wouldn't + base form of verb … + would you?
Example: You wouldn't drive me to the train station, would you?

I don't suppose you could + base form of verb … + could you?
Example: I don't suppose you could wash my car, could you?

Polite requests in written English
Here is a good expression for formal emails and letters:
I would be grateful if you could + base form of verb ...
Example: I would be grateful if you could call me.

There are many more examples in the video with a very detailed explanation. I advise you to watch it and take notes.

More English video lessons:

Andrew,
Crown Academy of English

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[juancarloshinestroza]

This is one of the best lessons ever. Really, really helpful, many thanks Andrew

[theflightcrew]

Very helpful! In our today's community it is very important to be polite.

[mahdiyehbami]

Dear sir
I hope you are very well.
I would be most grateful if you could record lesson with high volume, please.

[mohitukey]

Thank you for the lesson, sir. I would be most grateful if you could teach us how to write letters, both formal and formal.

[fazilpeerally]

Hello Andrew !

Thanks a million ! The video lesson about " Polite requests and questions " is meaningful and enlightening. It would really help me in a business corporate environment, either in spoken and written. The grammar structure and the given examples are excellent. In a nutshell, it`s a good work.

I am most grateful to you.

Wishing you all the best.

Kind regards,
Fazil

[proudtobeanintrovert]

I wonder if you could possibly make more videos for us.

[shamimafsarmohdyusuf]

Thanks for your enlightening and interesting video on making polite requests in English

[ahmadkh]

It is a greater teaching for for those needs to get new job or place .

[erikamanik]

I just find this channel
It's very help me to learn English
Thanks for explaining this lesson

[saibaba]

Excellent n wonderful videos plz upload more videos thanks

[cyrinacyrina]

Would you mind giving us more lessons ..it's very helpful ..thanks a bunch 🙏🙏

[donelmbazoa]

Thank you very much. very useful expressions to use daily. I really appreciated the lesson. I would be more grateful if you make an english lesson about the word "matter". I have some issues with this word 😊.

[sumatiladane]

Very helpful, Thank you for your efforts sir.😊

[VoteLaborOut]

This is very useful and practical thanks for the insights and examples.

[ian_inaba.]

Thank you so much for the great lesson🙏😊

[bichloan]

I hope that there are to have many more lessons for everyone.Thanks .

[carlostarangomiranda]

I understood that we must be kind to ask for things.
Form: Could you + base form of verb ….. ?
Form: Would you mind + ing form of verb … ?
Form: I wonder if you could + base form of verb … ?

[arts]

You are a nice person and my tutor God bless you

[linhtetaung]

Thank you for the most effective way to learn polite requests in English . I feel appreciated to Mr. Andrew's teaching.🎓 🎓 💜💚

[ballasamad]

Your speaking and your videos very useful, important thanks for your loyalty.