COMMUNICATION SKILLS

1. ASKING FOR A FAVOUR

Here are some ways to ask someone to ask you

Making requests/ asking for Agreed Disagree

help
- V1 .... , please. - Certainly . I'm sorry. I'm busy .
- Please + V1 …… - Of course . I’m sorry , I can’t.
- Can you + V1….? - Sure . I’m afraid not.
- Could you + V1….? - OK. / All right.
- Would you please + V1….? - No problem .
- What can I do for you?
- How can I help you ?
Would / Do you mind + - No. I don't mind. - I'm sorry, I can't.
Ving…. ? - No, of course not. -I’m sorry , that is not possible.
- Not at all.

The way to keep in mind:

In the sentence pattern to ask for help, the object must be "you." It means the subject is always "you" (the
command “you” is understood implicitly).

Example: "Would you please open the door for me?" We see the object of the “open” action as "you" => ask
others to do.

About the answers, agree, then use: Sure, of course,

If you cannot do it, please answer "sorry."

Sample sentence: "Would you mind + Ving. "Mind" here means "please," i.e., ask if the person bothers you
when helping. From there, we deduce that the answer is: no (mind).

2. OFFERING YOUR HELP

Sample sentences Agreed Disagree

- Can I help you ? -Yes, thank you No, thank you
- What can I do for you ? -That’s very kind of you No thank you, I can manage
- May I help you ? -Yes, please No, there’s no need. But thanks
- Do you need any help? -That would be nice all the same
- Let me help you. Well, that’s very kind of you,
-Do you want me to… but I think I can manage, thanks
-Would you like me to….
-Shall I
3. ASKING FOR PERMISSION

Sample sentences Giving permission Refusing to give permission

- May I +V1....? - Certainly. -I'd rather you didn't.
Eg: May I go out? - Of course. - I'd prefer you didn't.
-Can I+V1…? - Please do. -No, I’m afraid you can’t
Ex: Can I sit here? - Please go ahead. -I’m sorry, but you can’t
-Yes, by all means

-Would you mind if I + No. Of course not

V2/ed…? -Not at all
Ex: Would you mind if I -Please do
smoked ? -Please go ahead
-Do you mind if I + V1…?
Ex: Do you mind if I smoke ?

4. MAKING SUGGESTION

Sample sentences Agreed Disagree

1. Shall I / we... (do)? 1. Yes, I think that's a good No, let's not.
2. Let's... (do). idea.
3. Why don't I / we... (do)? 2. That's probably the best
4. How about... (doing)? option.
5. What about... (doing)? 3. Sure, why not?
6. I think we should... (do). 4. Yes, definitely.
7. I suggest that we... (do). 5. By all means.
8. It might be a good idea if 6. Good idea
we / you... (do).
9. I think the best way of
dealing with this situation
would be to... (do).
10. If you ask me, I think we /
you should/ could...V (do).

I. Asking for a favour

Direction: Look at each problem then write the proper question asking if they can help you.
iron my clothes fix my car speak slower help me with my math homework
turn on the fan turn off the lights clean my yard answer the telephone
tie my shoes open the door carry my books
Example: You can’t take the call because you are busy at the moment. Could you answer the telephone?
1. You need help in carrying your books. ____________________________________________________
2. It’s summer and it’s very hot. ___________________________________________________________
3. My shoe laces are undone. _____________________________________________________________
4. I’m not doing well with Math. __________________________________________________________
5. My clothes are wrinkled._______________________________________________________________
6. My car is broken._____________________________________________________________________
7. I want to sleep but the lights are on.______________________________________________________
8. My yard is mess._____________________________________________________________________
9. The door’s locked.____________________________________________________________________
10. She speaks fast and you didn’t understand anything. _________________________________________

II. Offering your help

Form a sentence using the following words;
(Shall I, Do you want me to…., Would you like me to…., Let me help you…..)
1. open the window - ___________________________________________________________________
2. get you some water - __________________________________________________________________
3. shut the door - _______________________________________________________________________
4. help you with those books- _____________________________________________________________
5. switch off the TV -____________________________________________________________________
6. wash the dishes- _____________________________________________________________________
7. play this game with you- _______________________________________________________________
8. carry those shopping bags- _____________________________________________________________
9. pick your dress- ______________________________________________________________________
10. show you the way-____________________________________________________________________

III. Asking for permission

Make a sentencce focusing on asking permission. (May I/ Can I/Do you mind if I……./
Would you mind if I….)
1. go out - ___________________________________________________________________________
2. Play football - ______________________________________________________________________
3. Take a pen - ________________________________________________________________________
4. Go to supermarket - _________________________________________________________________
5. Stand up - _________________________________________________________________________
6. Sing a song - _______________________________________________________________________
7. Drink a coke - ______________________________________________________________________
8. Call you later - ______________________________________________________________________
9. Go to the park - _____________________________________________________________________
10. Sit down - _________________________________________________________________________

IV. Making a suggestion