Offering Help

 Social Function
To offer help generously in order to sustain a good relationship with others.
 Leraning Focus
Offering services/help
Accepting and refusing help

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Offering Help
When you want to help someone, how do you make your offer in English?
There are a lot of way to offer your assistance. You can use:
1. I’ll (do something)
When you want to offer help in a very simple casual way, use this phrase when you’re
pretty sure that the other person will be happy to receive your help.
E.g.: I’ll hold the door open for you.
2. Let me (do something)
If you want to be a little more polite, but still very friendly, you can use this phrase.
E.g.: Here – let me adjust the seat for you.
3. Why don’t I (do something)?
Sometimes you’re not quite so sure that your help will be welcomed. Then this phrase might
be a better choice.
E.g.: Why don’t we exchange business cards?
4. Do you want me to (do something)?
If you’re even less sure about your offer, then you should ask and wait for an answer.
E.g: Do you want me to take over?
5. Would you like me to (do something)?
This is a little more formal and you might say this phrase with customers, or with relatives
who you don’t see very often.
E.g.: Would you like me to close the window?
6. I can (do something)
You can also make polite offers with this phrase.
E.g: I can adjust the temperature, if you want.
7. Can I (do something)?
In formal situations, you can offer help by stating this phrase which seems you’re really
happy to help.
E.g.: Can I get you something to drink?
8. I’d be happy to (do something)
This is another formal phrase. You can use it in business and professional situations.
E.g: I’d be happy to schedule a time for you.
9. May I offer you (something)?
This is a very formal way to make an offer. It also sounds fancy.
E.g: May I pour you water, Sir?

Responding Service or Help

How do you make your respond in English to the service or help?
Here are some examples:
Accepting service/help
• Yes, please. Thanks a lot.
• Yes, please. If it’s not too much trouble.
• Thanks. That’s very kind of you.
• Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
Refusing service/help
• No, thanks, I’m OK.
• No, thanks, I think I can manage.
• Thank you very much, but I can do it myself.
• No, thanks. It’s all right.