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These questions are all correct English but they are too direct. These are not
polite requests. They are in fact quite rude. People will be offended because
they will think that you are giving them orders.
In this lesson, you will learn several methods to make a polite request. The
first few examples are to be used in spoken English. The last example is for
written English.
Examples:
Could you carry my bags?
Could you give me some advice?
Could you carry these boxes?
Example:
Could you possibly hold my drink?
Would you mind .. ?
Form: Would you mind + ing form of verb … ?
Examples:
Would you mind carrying my bags?
Would you mind giving me some advice?
Would you mind helping me?
Would you mind taking my photograph?
Examples:
I wonder if you could mind my bag?
I wonder if you could give me some advice?
I wonder if you could help me?
Example:
You couldn’t help me, could you?
Form: You wouldn’t + base form of verb … + would you?
Example:
You wouldn’t take me to the airport, would you?
Form: I don’t suppose you could + base form of verb … + could you?
Example:
I don’t suppose you could clean the bathroom, could you?
Form:
I would be grateful if you could + base form of verb …
Example:
I would be grateful if you could send me your price list.
Example:
I would be most grateful if you could send me the reports.