il

requests We usually ask people to do things for us by usingyes/no questions'

(Tliis suggests that tire heireican choose whether to agree or not)'
on the lights?
Could you tell me the time, please? Would you mind switching
\\4ren we need to be very polite, we often add an apology and/or an explanation.
\Ve can also addpossibly, ot use an indirect question'
l,m sorry to trouble you, but could you possibly tell me the way to the station?
my bags?
Excuse me. I've got to go out for a moment. I wonder if you could watch

imperatives not used Addingplease does not turn an imperative into a polite request'
'Please help me for a few minutes.' 'I'm not your servant"

shops etc In shops, restaurants etc we dont always use questions to ask for things
(though we quite often do so). Direct orders llke Give me ... can sound quite rude.

could I see that dress? I'll have an orange juice, please. Id like to see the menu.

Negative questions are not used in requests'

Couldyouhelpmeforamoment?(Nol@-thissoundslike
a complaint: 'Why arent you helping me?')
But negative statements with question tags are common in informal
requests'

You couldn't help me for a moment, could you?

polite, by turning them

Expressions of opinion can also be made less direct, and so more
into direct or indirect questions' Compare:
It would be better to fly' (direct expression of opinion)
- less direct)
Wouldn't it be better to fly? (negative question asking for agreement
Would it be better to Jly? (open question - very indirect)
I wonder if it would be better to fly. (indirect question)
t,

you don't know well.

ffi lmagine you say these sentences to a stranger, or someone
Are they probably polite enough (P), or not
(NP)?
> Tell me the time, please' NP
5 You ought to paint it green' " '
> could you possibly open a window? P
6 would you mind working late tonight?
1 Can t you tell me where the police station is, please?
... 7 Would it be a good idea to ask your
' father first? " '
2 Show me some middle-priced watches' "
3 Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me' ' " 8 Open the door for me' please' " '

4 Please hold this for me for a minute' " '

a stranger' lt's not polite

ffi One of the authors of this book received this email from
enough for the situation. Can you improve it?
Oear X, Could you please tell me the difference between
shy and timid?

I look forward to hearing from you.Yours sincerely' Y

pART 2 289
f\.
it

Questions, suggestions and requests can be made more polite by using'indirect'verb forms:
for example past instead of present.
I wondered if you needed me today. How much did you want to spend, madam?
Past modals like would, could and might are often used like this.
We thought it wouldbe useful to ask loe what he thinks.
Could I ask you to check these fgures for me?
You might see if the people at the town hall have any information.

l$p Wtrat can you change to make these sentences less direct?
We wonder if you feel like oining us. . . Y/.1 .W?.ryd.efg4 .'.'.'. ftlY.
j .....

1 Can you watch the kids for a moment?

2 Ann and I wonder if you are here this weekend.
3I hope you will find this useful.
4 It may be a good idea to invite Olivia.
5 How many rooms do you want to reserve?
6 Will it be all right if I bring a friend?
7 You can try the Station Hotel. ........
8 Do you want to see the manager now?
9 Will you tell Harry to come upstairs?
l0 Do you intend to travel tomorrow?

Past progressives give an extra level ofpoliteness.

I was wondering if I could ask your adyice.

ffi Cfrange the verbs in italics to make these sentences less direct.
> we hope ..Y9Y9.hn.\ry3........ ......you can ..?.Q*!1.. helpus.
1 Ithink it's............. timetogetanewdishwasher.
2 t hope you don't mind my asking.
i

3 We wonder rf we can use your phone.

4 Are you looking for somebody?
5 Janwonders .............. ...ifyou can ............ translatethis.
6 1 expect to get some information from the manager.

Another way of making requests less direct is to use a future verb form.
I'm afraid you'Il need to fll in this I'll need a receipt, please.
form.
I'll have to ask you to wait a minute. That will be €8.35.

tt.fs Use future forms to make these requests polite. (Different answers are possible.)
I Come back on Tuesday.

2 Give me two copies.

3 Pay in advance.

4 L25.60, please.

290 PART 2
**
4f
Structures with f can be used in a similar way'

It would be nice if you could phone Anna' lf you would

take a seat for a moment " '
lf you were to come back this evening " '

f, .. Write a sentence with if to ask somebody

to do the shopping for you'
(Different answers are possible')

and friendly'
Present progressives can make statements sound casual
I'mlookingforwardtohearingfromyoa'(Lessformallhanllookforward"')
We're hoping you'Il come and stay with us soon'

forward to'
. Write a sentence that you might put in a letter to a friend, beginning t'm looking

less directly, and more politely'

quite, maybeetc We can express opinions and intentions
Uy uring softening expressions like quite, rather,
kind of' a bit' maybe etc'

He's quite rude, isn't he? I fnd her rather bossy' don't you?
I thinkl'll ... We can say that we are thinking of doing something, instead of expressing our
intentions directlY.
OK. I think I'It go to bed. I'm thinking of taking the day of tomorrow'

etc
we would like, we are writing to ... etc In a formal style' requests, invitations, suggestions
are often'wrapped up instead of being expressed directly'
We wouldlike to invite you to gitte a talk to our members on 14th lune'
I'd tike to suggest that we take a vote'
I would like to congratulate you on your examination results'
I-ioy
am writing to express our appreciation of your generosity'

rr rriinA yo, that yoi subscription is due for renewal on 1st lanuary?
This is to confirm that yotur payment has been received'
attention'
Let me orrur" you that your request wiII receive careful
are possible')
Use expressions frorn the box to soften these sentences' (Different answers

I It's expensive
2 The music's boring.
3 I'll go lor a walk.
4 Congratulations on your prrze. '''""''
5 I suggest we meet again next week' " " " " " "
6 We'll sell our house.
7 Shes bad-temPered. ........
8 This meat smells funnY.
9 Thank you for Your donation.
l0 Please give a talk to our members' " "

ir/\fitr ;.' 29'l