Practice Making Requests

Set 1

100

May I ask you to…?

• Scenario 1: You’re visiting a friend and want to borrow their recipe book for a week.
• Scenario 2: You’re in a meeting and need someone to resend an important email you missed.

May I ask you to…?

• Scenario 1: Hi Tina, may I ask you to lend me your recipe book for a week? I would like to learn how to make something new for Christmas.
  Response: Of course, you can borrow it. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.

• Scenario 2: Hi Peter, may I ask you to resend the email about the meeting? I think I missed it.
  Response: Sure, I’ll send it to you right now.

200

Is it okay to ask for…?

• Scenario 1: You’re at a bakery and want to see if they have more fresh bread in the back.
• Scenario 2: You’re at a café and would like to ask for more milk for your tea.

Is it okay to ask for…?

• Scenario 1: Excuse me, is it okay to ask for fresh bread from the back? I need two more loaves.
  Response: Yes, let me check in the back for you.

• Scenario 2: Hi, is it okay to ask for some more milk for my tea?
  Response: Of course, I’ll bring it to you.

300

Would you mind if I…?

• Scenario 1: You’re at a friend’s house and want to use their Wi-Fi to check something quickly.
• Scenario 2: You’re visiting family and want to borrow their car for an hour to run errands.

Would you mind if I…?

• Scenario 1: Hi Sarah, would you mind if I used your Wi-Fi for a few minutes? I need to check an email.
  Response: Not at all, here’s the password.

• Scenario 2: Hi John, would you mind if I borrowed your car for an hour? I need to pick something up.
  Response: That’s fine, just bring it back when you’re done.

400

Would you mind helping me with…?

• Scenario 1: You’re struggling to move a heavy box and want your neighbor’s help.
• Scenario 2: You’re having trouble with your TV remote and ask your friend for help fixing it.

Would you mind helping me with…?

• Scenario 1: Hi, would you mind helping me move this heavy box to the other room?
  Response: No problem, let me help you with it.

• Scenario 2: Would you mind helping me fix the TV remote? It’s not working.
  Response: Sure, let me take a look at it.

500

I was wondering if you could…

• Scenario 1: You’re planning a weekend away and need someone to look after your dog.
• Scenario 2: You’re at a shop and want to ask an assistant to recommend a good gift.

I was wondering if you could…

• Scenario 1: I was wondering if you could look after my dog this weekend while I’m away.
  Response: Yes, I can do that. Just let me know what the dog needs.

• Scenario 2: Hi, I was wondering if you could help me find a good gift for my sister’s birthday.
  Response: Absolutely, I have some ideas for you.

Set 2

100

Could you do that for me, please?

• Scenario 1: You’re at a restaurant and ask the waiter to bring you the bill.
• Scenario 2: You’re in a store and need help reaching an item on a high shelf.

Could you do that for me, please?

• Scenario 1: Could you bring me the bill, please? I’m ready to pay.
  Response: I’ll bring it to you right away.

• Scenario 2: Could you get that item from the top shelf for me, please? I can’t reach it.
  Response: Let me grab it for you.

200

Do you think you might be able to…?

• Scenario 1: You need your friend to pick up a package for you from the post office.
• Scenario 2: You’re hosting a dinner party and want someone to bring dessert.

Do you think you might be able to…?

• Scenario 1: Hi, do you think you might be able to pick up my package from the post office tomorrow?
  Response: Sure, I’ll go there after work.

• Scenario 2: Do you think you might be able to bring dessert for the dinner party on Saturday?
  Response: Yes, I’ll make something nice

300

Would it be possible to…?

• Scenario 1: You’re at a hair salon and want to ask if they can move your appointment earlier.
• Scenario 2: You’re at a hotel and want to ask if you can check out an hour later.

Would it be possible to…?

• Scenario 1: Would it be possible to move my hair appointment to an earlier time?
  Response: I’ll check the schedule and let you know.

• Scenario 2: Hi, would it be possible to check out one hour later?
  Response: Yes, we can arrange that for you.

400

I was hoping you could…

• Scenario 1: You need a friend to recommend a good restaurant for an anniversary dinner.
• Scenario 2: You’re planning an event and want someone to help you set up the decorations.

I was hoping you could…

• Scenario 1: I was hoping you could recommend a nice restaurant for my anniversary dinner.
  Response: I know a great place; I’ll send you the details.

• Scenario 2: Hi, I was hoping you could help me decorate for the party on Friday.
  Response: I’d love to help. What time should I come?

500

I would appreciate it if you could…

• Scenario 1: You need your neighbor to check your mailbox while you’re on vacation.
• Scenario 2: You want to ask a coworker to remind you about an upcoming meeting.

I would appreciate it if you could…

• Scenario 1: I would appreciate it if you could check my mailbox while I’m on holiday next week.
  Response: No problem, I’ll check it every day.

• Scenario 2: I would appreciate it if you could remind me about the meeting tomorrow.
  Response: Sure, I’ll send you a message in the morning.

Set 3

100

Would it be too much to ask…?

• Scenario 1: You’re hosting guests and want your friend to bring extra chairs from their house.
• Scenario 2: You need your sibling to babysit for a few hours while you run errands.

Would it be too much to ask…?

• Scenario 1: Hi, would it be too much to ask you to bring some extra chairs for the party tonight?
  Response: It’s not a problem, I’ll bring them over.

• Scenario 2: Would it be too much to ask you to babysit my kids for a couple of hours this afternoon?
  Response: That’s fine, I can help.