How can you ask someone to do something for you in English without sounding rude? Here are some of the ways that you can give orders and instructions.
1. Use the imperative form
We use the imperative form to give orders, warnings and advice:
Be quiet!
Take care!
Listen to me carefully!
Because it can sound rude to give direct orders (especially if you are talking to an adult), we "soften" the imperative form with "let's" or "please":
Let's go now.
Please listen to what I'm saying.
2. Use a modal verb to turn the order into a request
We use modals to change the mood of a sentence. For example, "You should help her" is more polite than "Help her!"
Other modal verbs you can use to make requests are:
Could: Could you make me some tea?
Can: Can you come here please?
Will: Will you shut the door please?
Would: Would you wait here until the doctor is ready for you?
3. Use an introductory phrase to soften the order
Instead of using an imperative, you can use a phrase instead. Here are some common ways of phrasing an order, in order of the most indirect to the most direct:
Would you mind possibly… (+ ing) (Most indirect)
Would you mind possibly moving your car? It's parked right in front of mine.
I was hoping you could … (+ infinitive without to)
I was hoping you could spare me a few minutes this morning.
Do you think you could … (+ infinitive without to)
Do you think you could do this photocopying for me?
If you have a couple of minutes spare…
If you have a couple of minutes spare, the office needs tidying up.
I'd like you to…
I'd like you to file this correspondence for me.
I want you to…
I want you to finish this by tomorrow.
4. Use sequencing words
You can use sequencing words to make instructions clear.
Firstly, make sure the appliance is disconnected.
Secondly, open the back with a screwdriver.
Then, carefully pull out the two black cables….
15 comments on “Giving orders and instructions”
Clare,
Your website is so helpful!Thank you for your pieces of advice!!
We say Could you come here please? or Can you come here please or both are correct?
Both are correct. Using "could" is more formal and more polite than "can".
Thank you very much for providing such useful material. I am so happy to study English free.
thanks for providing fundamentals of instructions in a very lucid and elegant manner.
When is it appropriate to use could and would? Can and Will?
Could and would are more polite than can and will. But we can use all of them to make requests:
Could you / Would you / Can you / Will you…. open the door please?
In my opinion, we should use "can" when we talk about an ability of someone, something. ex. Can you swim? And we use "could" when you want to make a polite request: Could you teach me? (we respect the opposite person and know s/he has ability to teach us).
"would you please do me a favour" is correct or "will u pls do me a favour"
Also, "I would tell you tomorrow" is correct or "i will tell you tomorrow".
Both "Would / Will you do me a favour?" are correct.
"I'll tell you tomorrow" is correct.
I want to add one thing. Using a question in an order should make it more polite than direct
orders.
examples:
pass the box, please.
can you pass the box, please?
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is saying come ON time or come IN time correct?
They're both correct, but they mean different things.
Come on time = be punctual
Come in time = arrive before a specific event:
"The film starts at 2pm, so come in time." (Come before 2pm.)
Certainlly it will help us to enhancce our skills.
Thank you very much . That has helped me alot .
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