There are lots of English expressions to offer to help someone – and also lots of expressions to accept (or refuse) help. Take a look at our page on requests and offers, then try the quiz below!

Level: Elementary and above

1. You see someone with a heavy suitcase and you offer help. You say: Would you like a __

• carry
• hand
• help
• Would you like a hand? = Can I help you?

2. Or you could also say: Can I __ you a hand?

• be
• give
• help
• You can also ''give someone a hand''. For example: ''Let me give you a hand'' or ''Can I give you a hand?'' or ''Would you like me to give you a hand''?

3. You're very busy and a colleague offers to make you a cup of tea. (''Would you like a cup of tea?'') You want to accept the offer and say:

• Oh, that would be lovely, thank you!
• Yes, I would!
• You bet!
• Just saying ''yes I would'' sounds as if you expect your colleague to make you a cup of tea. Saying something like ''That would be lovely'' or ''That would be wonderful'' shows appreciation.

4. You're in a restaurant and the waiter takes your order and then asks if there's anything else you need. In fact, you'd like a different glass as yours looks dirty. You say:

• Actually, if you wouldn't mind, could you get me another glass?
• Actually, I want another glass.
• Actually, I'd like another glass. This one is dirty.
• ''If you wouldn't mind'' is a polite way to ask someone else to do something for you. (''I want'' is a little rude and the third option is a little undiplomatic.)

5. It's lunchtime and you want to eat with your friend, but he / she is busy studying. You offer to go and buy sandwiches and say: I'll go and get some sandwiches, __

• if it's OK
• if it pleases you
• if you like
• We say ''if it's OK'' when we want permission to do something. When we offer to do a task for another person, we can say ''I'll ... if you like''.

6. You're carrying two bags and you're nearly home, when someone offers you help. You don't want help and say:

• Actually, I'm fine thanks!
• Actually, it's good thanks.
• Thanks but no!
• ''Actually'' is a good way to start your sentence, because we use ''actually'' to introduce contrasting information. ''Thanks but no'' can sound as if you are angry with the other person.

7. In the same situation you could also say:

• Thanks, but I can deal with it.
• Thanks, but I can do it on my own.
• Thanks, but I can manage.
• I can manage = I don't need help (often if you have to do something physical like carry things).

8. This week you have lots to do. A friend offers to go shopping for you, but you don't want your friend to help. You say: Actually I'm fine thanks. Thanks __

• for helping, though.
• for offering, though.
• for saying, though.
• ''Thanks for offering, though'' is a good expression to use when you want to thank the other person for offering to help you. (''Though'' = although)

9. In the same situation you could also say to your friend: I'll be fine thanks. __

• It's very kind of you to offer, though.
• It's very nice for you to ask, though.
• It's a wonderful idea, though.
• ''It's very kind of you'' / ''It's very sweet of you'' are also ways to acknowledge the other person's offer.

10. Your friend insists and says ''Please, let me do the shopping for you!'' You say: __

• No, I don't need you to.
• No, really, don't worry! I'll be fine.
• No, you shouldn't!
• Saying ''No really'' and ''Don't worry'' are polite ways to refuse help - especially if the other person continues to offer you help.