English speakers make offers all the time in conversation.
They say things like:
Can I… ?
Shall I… ?
Would you like me to… ?
Using these common English phrases – and being able to accept and reject offers – will make you sound polite and helpful.
"Can I help you?"
"Shall I open the window for you?"
"Would you like another coffee?"
"Would you like me to answer the phone?"
"I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
Shall, can and will are followed by the verb without to.
Shall is more formal than can. Would you like… is followed either by a noun, or by the verb with to.
Responding to offers
These English dialogues show you ways to accept or reject offers made to you.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes please. I'd like to know what time the train leaves."
"Can I help you?"
"No thanks, I'm just looking." (In a shop.)
"Shall I open the window for you?"
"Yes please. That would be very kind of you."
"Would you like another coffee?"
"No thanks." Or, "No thank you."
"Would you like another coffee?"
"Yes please, that would be lovely." Or, "Yes please, I'd love one."
"Would you like me to answer the phone?"
"If you wouldn't mind." Or, "If you could."
(Don't answer "Yes, I would", as this sounds like you expect someone to do it for you.)
"I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
"It's OK, I can do it." Or, "Don't worry, I'll do it.
"Or, "Thank you, that would be great."
English speaking tip
With a little practice, you'll find it easy to use these English expressions. They'll help you sound both natural and confident.
10 comments on “Making offers”
This tips are very very important. Great.
With these tips you can prove your self as a good communicator.
Thanks,
Alamgir.
Can I…? and May I…? show me the different?
bigyananda luwang ยป "May I" is more polite and formal than "Can I".
what is the difference between thanks and thank you
wich one is formal?
They both mean the same, but "Thank you" is more formal.
is this sentence right :
I want to confirm you that i actually would like to go to the meeting of E-Learning and distance learning?
correct me please
I'd like to confirm that I'd like to go to the E-learning and distance learning meeting.
I'd like to go to the ……
thanks alot.if i keep skiming this fabulous site then i'll be sure of being as good as english native speakers.awesome
This sits is very useful to improve my speaking english,thanks alot for that.
Great material! It's useful not just for students and teachers, but for anyone wishing to improve his/her mastery of the English language as used for communication.
