Making and responding to a request

Making and responding to a request

It's important to be polite when you ask for something.

You can make a request by using:

 Can you...?
 Could you...?
 Will you...?
 Would you mind...?

Here are some examples of how to make a request...

Can you  Open the door for me, please?

Will you 
Could you possibly
would you mind Opening the door for me ?

Making Request:

 Can you show me your photo album,

please?
 Will you lend me your book, please?
 Could you possibly show me the way
to the post office, please?
 Would you help me with this
exercise, please?
 Would you mind lending me your pen,
please?

Responding to request:

 Sure here you are.

 Okay.
 No, I'm sorry I need it
 I'm afraid I can't.
Things to remember about making a request:

1. "Would you mind..." is followed by a gerund (verb+ing)

Example: "Would you mind lending me your book? "

2. The response to the following request:

A: "Would you mind giving me your book?”

Is either:

 "No, I don't mind."(Which is a positive response to the request. It means

that I accept to lend you my book)
 Or "Yes." (Which is a negative response to the request. It means that I don't
want to lend you my book.)

3. Could is more polite than can.