Polite requests: asking for favours and permission

A2
90 min
Premium
1

Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. Who do you usually ask for help at your work or school?
  2. What is a small favor you sometimes ask a friend or colleague to do?
  3. Imagine you need to leave work early. What do you say to your boss?
2

Asking for Help at Work

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Listen to the audio recording and answer the questions.

01Why can't Emma help Marco right away?
Sample answerBecause she is busy with a report.
02What does Marco need help with?
Sample answerHe needs help with some boxes.
03When does Emma say she can help Marco?
Sample answerShe says she will be free in about ten minutes.
04What does Emma ask for permission to do before helping Marco?
Sample answerShe asks if it's alright if she grabs a quick coffee.
4

Key vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you make and respond to requests more naturally.
Examples
give someone a hand — to help someone with something
Usage note: This is a friendly and informal way to offer or ask for help. For example, 'Could you give me a hand with these boxes?'
no problem — a common way to say 'yes' when someone asks for a favor
Usage note: This is a polite and friendly response when you agree to help. You can also say, 'Of course, no problem.'
be busy with something — to have a lot of work to do at that moment
Usage note: Use this to politely explain why you cannot help. For example, 'I'm sorry, I'm busy with this report right now.'
is it alright if I...? — a polite question to ask for permission
Usage note: This is another way to say 'Do you mind if I...?'. For example, 'Is it alright if I use your phone?'
as soon as possible — to do something very quickly because it is important
Usage note: You can add this to a request to show it is urgent. People often write this as 'ASAP' in emails or messages.
5

Vocabulary for requests

Learn some new words to talk about asking for help.

Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Polite requests with 'mind'

Grammar
We use 'Would you mind...?' and 'Do you mind if...?' to ask for things in a very polite way. These phrases are useful at work or with people you don't know well.
Examples
Would you mind helping me with this report?
Use 'Would you mind + verb-ing' to ask someone else to do something for you.
Do you mind if I borrow your pen for a moment?
Use 'Do you mind if I + verb' to ask for permission to do something yourself.
Would you mind speaking a little more slowly?
Remember to say 'No, not at all' or 'Of course not' to agree to these requests.
Key points
  • Use 'Would you mind + verb-ing' to ask someone to do an action.
  • Use 'Do you mind if I + verb' to ask for permission.
  • Common mistake: Don't say 'yes' to agree. Say 'No, not at all' or 'No problem'.
7

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01Could you give me a with this heavy box, please?
02A: 'Can you help me for a minute?' B: 'Sure, no .'
03I can't help you right now, I'm very with this report.
04Is it if I leave work a little early today?
05We need to finish this project as as possible.
8

Asking for help at work

Read a short story about a new employee who needs to ask for a favor.

Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.

Maria started her new job last week. Today, her boss asked her to finish a report as soon as possible. Maria was a little confused about one part. She saw her colleague, Tom, at his desk. He looked like he was busy with something, but she really needed to get the report done.

She walked over to his desk. "Excuse me, Tom," she said quietly. "I'm sorry to bother you. Would you mind giving me a hand with this for a minute?" Tom looked up from his computer and smiled. "Of course, no problem. What do you need?" Maria felt much better. It's not always easy to ask for a favor, but polite colleagues usually want to help.

01Why did Maria need to speak to her colleague, Tom?
Sample answerShe needed help with a report for her boss.
02What did Tom say when Maria asked for help?
Sample answerHe said, 'Of course, no problem.'
03How did Maria probably feel before she asked Tom for help?
Sample answerShe probably felt a little nervous because he looked busy and she spoke quietly.
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. In your country, is it common to ask your boss for a small favor? Why or why not?
  2. Is it more difficult to ask for a favor: your boss or a new colleague? Why?
  3. Imagine a colleague is very busy with something. You need them to give you a hand. What is the best way to ask?