Helpful Friends?
Your friend has a great bag. You want one like it and ask where they got it. Then, check if they agree it's a good store.
Request: "Could I ask where you got that bag?" / "Would you mind telling me where you bought your bag?"
Get Response: "It's a great store, don't you agree?" / "You like it too, right?"
You can't see the board. Ask the person in front of you to move a little.
Request: "Would you mind moving your head a little? I can't see."
Yes Response: "Oh, sure. Sorry!" / "All right."
You are a guest. Ask the host if you can turn off the music they are playing.
Request: "Would you mind if I turned off the music?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but I'm really enjoying it." / "I'd like to, but this is my favorite song."
Ask a stranger to take a photo of you and your friend.
Request: "Would you mind taking a picture for us?"
Yes Response: "Sure, no problem." / "I'd be glad to."
Ask your boss if you can leave work 3 hours early for no urgent reason.
Request: "Would it be possible for me to leave at 2 PM today?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but we have a deadline this afternoon." / "I'm afraid that's not possible today."
Ask your friend if you can borrow their brand new, expensive sweater.
Request: "Would you mind if I borrowed this sweater?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but it's brand new." / "I'd like to, but I'm worried it might get dirty."
You didn't hear the teacher's instruction. Ask the student next to you. Then, check if you understood correctly.
Request: "Could you tell me what the teacher said?"
Get Response: "So, we need to do exercise 5... Do you know what I mean?"
You are at your sister's house. Ask for a glass of water.
Request: "Could I have a glass of water?"
Yes Response: "Sure, I'll get it for you." / "All right, no problem."
Ask a busy shopkeeper who is with another customer to help you immediately.
Request: "Could you help me right now?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but I'm with another customer." / "I'll be with you in a moment."
Ask a coworker for help with a computer problem. Then, check if they understand the issue.
Request: "Could you help me with my computer? It's not working."
Get Response: "The screen is frozen, do you know what I mean?"
You're carrying a heavy box. Ask your friend to help you.
Request: "Would you mind helping me with this box?" / "Could you give me a hand?"
Yes Response: "Sure!" / "I'd be glad to."
Ask your classmate if you can copy the answers from their test.
Request: "Could I see your answers?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but I can't do that." / "I'd like to, but that's cheating."
You are cold at a family gathering. Ask to close the window. Then, see if others agree.
Request: "Would you mind if I closed the window?"
Get Response: "It's a bit cold in here, don't you agree?"
Ask a friend if they want to get coffee at a new cafe. Then, ask what they think of the idea.
Request: "How about getting coffee at that new place?"
Get Response: "It looks nice, what do you think?"
Ask a colleague to pass you a stapler that is on their desk.
Request: "Could you pass me the stapler, please?"
Yes Response: "Sure, here you are." / "All right."
Ask your friend if you can look at the photos on their phone. Then, ask for their opinion on a photo.
Request: "Could I look at the photos from your trip?"
Get Response: (Pointing to a photo) "This one is beautiful, what do you think?"
Your pencil broke. Ask to borrow a sharpener.
Request: "Could I borrow your pencil sharpener?"
Yes Response: "Of course, here you go." / "I'd be glad to."
Ask your roommate if you can borrow their favorite and fragile mug.
Request: "Could I use this mug for my coffee?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but that one is very special to me." / "I'd like to, but it breaks easily."
Ask someone if you can sit at the empty chair at their table in a crowded cafe.
Request: "Would you mind if I sat here?"
Yes Response: "Go ahead." / "Not at all."
You think the office is too dark. Suggest turning on more lights. Then, ask for the team's opinion.
Request: "Would you mind if we turned on the main lights?"
Get Response: "It's a bit dark to work, how do you feel about that?"
Ask your friend if you can stay at their apartment for a whole week.
Request: "I wonder if I could stay at your place next week?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but that's not a good time for me." / "I'd like to, but my family is visiting."
Suggest to your study partner that you practice together. Then, ask for their thoughts.
Request: "Would you like to practice English with me this weekend?"
Get Response: "I think it would really help us. How do you feel about that?"
Ask a family member to answer the phone because your hands are wet.
Request: "Could you get the phone for me? My hands are wet."
Yes Response: "I'd be glad to." / "Sure, I'll get it."
Ask a passenger on a full train to give up their seat for you.
Request: "Would you mind giving me your seat?"
No Response: "I'm sorry, but I'm not feeling well." / "I'd like to, but I have a bad knee."
Ask a coworker if you can borrow their desk for 10 minutes because yours is being cleaned.
Request: "Could I use your desk for a few minutes?"
Yes Response: "Of course, no problem." / "I'd be glad to help."