A request in English is almost never a sentence — it is a question, and the question always leaves the other person a way to say no. That escape route is what makes it polite.
1. A favor with a deadline
Ada: Any chance you could look at my slides before three?
Ben: Send them over. I've got a gap at two.
Ada: Sending now. There are only six.
Ben: Six I can do by three.
Ada: You're a lifesaver.
2. Warning that a request is coming
Cleo: Could you do me a favor?
Emre: Depends what it is.
Cleo: Water my plants for four days.
Emre: Four days I can do. Ten and I'd say no.
Cleo: Four. I'm back Sunday.
3. Admitting it is a big ask
Gwen: I hate to ask, but could you take Ruby to school on Wednesday?
Idris: Wednesday. Yes. What time?
Gwen: Half eight at the gate.
Idris: We pass the gate every morning.
Gwen: Then I'll stop feeling guilty.
4. A request that is not urgent
Jae: The printer's flashing red again. Could you look when you get a chance?
Kofi: Is anyone waiting on it?
Jae: Nobody today. Tomorrow, yes.
Kofi: Then I'll do it first thing.
Jae: First thing is perfect.
5. Asking about the possibility
Lila: Do you think you could leave this parcel at the post office?
Max: If it fits in my bag, yes.
Lila: It fits. It's books.
Max: Big books?
Lila: Two paperbacks. You'll survive.
6. Asking permission you half expect
Nora: Is it okay if I take Friday afternoon?
Paolo: Friday's quiet. Should be fine.
Nora: I'll put it in the shared diary.
Paolo: Do, so nobody books you.
Nora: Booked myself out already.
7. The politest opener of all
Quinn: If it's not too much trouble, could you print two copies?
Rue: Two is no trouble. Twenty would be.
Quinn: Two. Stapled, if the stapler works.
Rue: The stapler has never worked.
Quinn: Then paper clips.
8. Adding one more thing
Ula: I'm going to the storeroom for envelopes.
Tomasz: While you're at it, bring a box of pens?
Ula: Black or blue?
Tomasz: Black. Blue disappears on the forms.
Ula: Black it is.
Words to know
| Any chance you could...? | The most common casual request at work. It offers an easy no. Any chance you could look at my slides before three? |
| Could you do me a favor? | Warns that a request is coming, so the other person can prepare for it. Could you do me a favor? |
| I hate to ask | Shows you know the request is an imposition, before you make it. I hate to ask, but could you take Ruby to school on Wednesday? |
| When you get a chance | Attaches not urgent to a request, so nobody drops what they are doing. Could you look when you get a chance? |
| Do you think you could...? | Softer than Can you, because it asks about possibility rather than ability. Do you think you could leave this parcel at the post office? |
| Is it okay if I...? | Asks permission for something you have already half decided. Is it okay if I take Friday afternoon? |
| If it's not too much trouble | The politest opener of the set. Use it with people you know less well. If it's not too much trouble, could you print two copies? |
| While you're at it | Adds a second small request onto a trip someone is already making. While you're at it, bring a box of pens? |
Quick practice
Complete each line with an expression from this lesson.
1. You want a colleague to check your slides today.
“________ look at my slides before three?”
2. You are about to ask a neighbor to water your plants.
“________”
3. You know the school run is a big thing to ask.
“________, but could you take Ruby to school on Wednesday?”
4. The printer is broken, but nobody needs it today.
“Could you look ________?”
5. You are asking, not telling, someone to run an errand.
“________ leave this parcel at the post office?”
6. You want two copies printed and you barely know the person.
“________, could you print two copies?”
Show the answers
1. Any chance you could 2. Could you do me a favor? 3. I hate to ask 4. when you get a chance 5. Do you think you could 6. If it's not too much trouble
Common mistakes
Not: Send me the file.
Say: Any chance you could send me the file?
A bare instruction is fine from a machine, not from a colleague. The question form costs four words and buys a great deal of goodwill.
Not: Do it when you want.
Say: When you get a chance.
When you want sounds careless about the task itself. When you get a chance says the task matters but the timing does not.
Not: I need a favor.
Say: Could you do me a favor?
I need announces a decision you have made for both of you. The question leaves a way out, and that is the only reason it works.
Your turn
Read each request aloud twice: once flat, once as a real question. The difference you hear is the difference between rude and normal.
- Ask a colleague to check something of yours before a deadline today.
- Ask a neighbor for a favor that will take them several days.
- Ask for something you know is a big imposition, and say so first.
- Ask for a small repair that is genuinely not urgent.
- Someone is going to the shop. Add one item to their trip.
Quick review
Every phrase here does the same job with a different amount of padding. Any chance you could is the everyday one. Do you think you could is softer. If it's not too much trouble is for people you hardly know. Match the padding to the distance between you, and never drop it entirely.