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Making requests

When you ask someone to do something for you, or ask if you can do something, it's important to sound polite. Here are some of the common ways that you can do this.

Asking someone to do something for you

"Could you open the door for me, please?"

"Would you mind opening the door for me, please?"

"Can you open the door for me, please?'

Speaking tip: could and can are followed by the verb without to. Would you mind is followed by the verb and -ing.

Asking if you can do something

"Can I use your computer, please?"

"Could I borrow some money from you, please?"

"Do you mind if I turn up the heating?"

"Would you mind if I turned up the heating?"

Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can.

Do you mind if…" is followed by the verb in the present tense, but would you mind if… is followed by the verb in the past tense.

When you're using these two sentences, don't use please. It's already polite enough!

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28 comments on “Making requests”

A. Samath

I dont know the difference between could and would, but now I learned from this page.It's really helping to me..Thanks for your presentation.

N. Shrestha

The explanation is so simple and really effective. Thanks for it.

Dr. Mainak Mukherjee

Easy to understand, quick to remember.
Thanks a lot!

venkat

its very useful. now I can able to make the request in the correct manner.

rajesh narayan deo

Really this is very useful and easy to understand .

faten

It's very easy to understand and help me how to make request when I ask one to do something
Thanks

ali reza

its wonderful.

don

i am a teacher of a junior high school in sengata, east kalimantan, indonesia.
thanks for this useful information.

Mireya

I just found out about your website. English is my second language and I am always looking for ways to improve my writen and oral commnication skills. Everytime I write an email is my biggest concern to sound literate.
Thank you so much for your help.
Mireya

Samantha

It is easy to understand.
Thanks.

alka dombale

the best information

Khushal Safi

Dear,
This website is very useful for all learner of Enghish also i was able to improve my many mistake, Thanks a lot,

Safi

Eitong

Dear,
This website is really great. I am learning english speaking (basic). It is very useful for me. It is easy to understand. Now, I improve english in my calss. Carry on for english learner.

thanks!

Yljon

the diference about will and would
can and could
shall and should

Clare

We don't use shall or should for making requests, but we can use will / would / can and could. Of all the four, "will" is the most direct, and "would" and "could" the most polite.

Paul Muroki

I learned alot from this website now l know how to use could, can and would. They make a lot of difference in a request ! Thanks alot

sri

Thank you very much for helping people who are in need of right advice.By reading the content of your website I really improved my english.I wish you very good luck,I woud like to ask you one question Clare

What is the difference between two sentences

do you mind if i turn up the heating and would you mind if turned off heating..could you please explain me..thank you im advance

Clare

Do you mind if I turn up the heating? (Simple request)
Would you mind if I turned up the heating? (More polite request)

rose

If somebody knock at my door, before letting them in, how can I communicate with them in a polite way….??? Please help

Clare

You can ask "Who is it?"

vish

Hi Clare Thanks 4 ur lessons could u ple. tel me the meaning of "do me a favor" n when we use this

Clare

Do me a favour = help me in some way.

zain

excellent,superb,fantastic

Shaban

Ahan! Got it. Would you please like helping us the same way in the near future? :p

Lina

Thank you for helping us because now we are able to improve our mistake thank uClare

charlz

Ms Claire, Would, could , are most important polite word. thank u

Moshtaque

Ms. Clare,

What is the difference between two sentences and right use of the word "please" there?
1) Would you mind opening the door?
2) Would you mind if you opened the door?

Please explain.

Rgds,

Moshtaque

Clare

2 doesn't make sense. You could say "Would you mind if I opened the door?" to show youì're asking permission.

1 is making a request, not asking for permission.

You could put "please" at the end of sentence 1, but not at the end of 2.

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