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Giving orders and instructions

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….

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71 comments on “Giving orders and instructions”

Karli

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".

Shikha maurya

thanks for providing fundamentals of instructions in a very lucid and elegant manner.

Lisa

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?

Linh Nguyen

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).

Muskan

"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.

bigggg

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?

Eka

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anees

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.)

sudhir

when could we use thanks & thanking you?? and what is the difference between these two

We tend to use "Thanks". You might sometimes here "Thanking you" in British English, but it sounds a little old-fashioned now.

k82uae

Slaaaaam all,
Can is used in an informal request and it's less polite than Could – that what i understood

Yes. We use both for requests, but we use "can" with people we know well and for smaller requests.

suha

could and would can be used in same sentences. like would you open the window please or
could you open the window please… which one is correct most?

Both are commonly used.

and what the need of saying please at the end the of request while its already polite.. when thr is could and would

It makes the request even politer!

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Clare

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Clare

bhujbal » I'd like to get off at the next stop, please.
Can you stop the bus at the next stop, please? (To the bus driver)

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Is the proper use of can and could a matter of context, or they can/could be used interchangeably?

Clare

For orders and instructions, you can use either, though "could" is more polite and formal than "can". But there are differences between can and could. See the page on modals in the grammar section of the site for more details.

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What is the meaning of "is the thought that count"? and "dont perry me"? Thx

Clare

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Clare

Have a look at the page on modals in the grammar section for more information:
http://www.english-at-home.com/grammar/changing-the-mood-of-a-sentence-modals/

Uzi

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1) Mr X is on another meeting so he couldn't attend this tele conference.

2) Mr X is on another meeting so he can't attend this tele conference.

3) Mr X is on another meeting so he will not be attending this tele conference.

Could you please explain??

Clare

1 mixes tenses "is" and "couldn't".
2 and 3 are fine. 2 talks about a present situation, and 3 uses the future continuous to talk about something the speaker thinks is logical.

But in both 2 and 3, use "is in another meeting" not "on".

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Murman

which one is correct "Would you help me please to open the door?" or "Would you help me to open the door, please?"

Clare

The second one sounds better. We usually put "please" at the end of the request.

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