Casa · A2 Elementary · Lesson 18 of 20 · Step 2

Making Requests

Polite Language & Favours

Make polite requests using 'Could you' and 'Would you mind'
Accept and decline requests politely
Understand the difference in formality between request forms

Words · tap a card to see it used

Grammar

Polite requests — Could you / Would you mind

Could you + base verb is a polite way to ask someone to do something. Would you mind + -ing verb is slightly more formal. Accepting: Of course / Certainly / No problem. Declining politely: I'm afraid I can't / I'm sorry but... Note: 'Would you mind' is answered with 'No, of course not' to mean YES I'll do it.

Could you send me the report by Friday, please?

Would you mind waiting for five minutes?

Could you turn the music down a little?

Would you mind helping me carry these bags?

Exercises · type, then check

1. Rewrite each request as a polite question using the word in brackets.

1.Open the door. (Could)

2.Lower your voice. (Would you mind)

3.Pass me the salt. (Could)

4.Repeat that, please. (Would you mind)

5.Explain this to me. (Could)

2. Match each request to the most natural response.

1.Could you help me with this?

2.Would you mind not smoking here?

3.Could I leave ten minutes early today?

4.Would you mind speaking more slowly?

5.Could you forward me that email?

0 of 10 answered · nothing you type leaves this device

Reading

A Professional Email

Subject: Request for More Time Dear Professor Hanson, I hope you are well. I am writing to ask if you could give me a few more days to finish my essay. It is due this Friday but I have been ill this week and I am not ready. Would you mind if I sent it on Monday instead? I would be very grateful. I am sorry for the problem this causes. Please let me know if this is not possible. Kind regards, Yuki

1. What is Yuki asking for?

2. What reason does Yuki give for the request?

Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone

1Role-play making three polite requests in an office setting. Your partner will either accept or decline. Swap roles.

2Practice declining a request politely. How do you say no without being rude in English?

Writing

Write a short, polite email (5–7 sentences) making a request. Use 'Could you' and 'Would you mind' at least once each.

0 words

Finished?

Check your exercises first, then mark the lesson done.