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Slide 3
Do you use a different way to make a request depending on
whether you are speaking to a friend or a teacher?
Slide 4
I certainly do. While talking to my teacher, in order to show
my good manners, I would use more indirect and polite words and
expressions. But with a friend, Id use more direct words or
expressions for sure.
Slide 5
What factors affect the way you make a request?
Slide 6
One factor is the age difference between me and the person Im
talking to. With my elders, I use more polite and formal language
to make a request, but Im more direct and informal with my friends.
Another factor is the weight of the favor.
Slide 7
If I need to borrow some money from a friend or ask a special
favor, Ill use more polite expressions. But if I just want to
borrow a pen or something not so important, I will make a direct
and informal request.
Slide 8
In everyday interactions, we often need other peoples help, and
when we do, it is important to know the correct way to ask for it.
Making a request properly will not only determine whether we
actually obtain the help we need, but, more importantly, affect the
attitude that people have toward us.
Slide 9
Making requests, in other words, involves an understanding of
etiquette or politeness. In making requests in English, it is
necessary to learn not only certain words and expressions, but also
how to use them appropriately. First of all, the way you ask will
depend on the social distance between yourself and the other
person.
Slide 10
For instance, if you are asking a teacher for help, you will
probably use more indirect and more formal words than if you are
asking a close friend or relative. Second, the language you use
will depend on the weight of the favor.
Slide 11
If you are making a special request from even a close friend,
say to borrow several thousand dollars, you will probably use more
polite language than if you are merely asking to borrow a pen.
Slide 12
Even with these guidelines, it can sometimes be hard to know
how to make a request, especially in sticky situations. For
instance, if you want a stranger to keep quiet in a movie theater,
you might want to give him a direct command rather than make a
request in order to show how annoyed you are.
Slide 13
However, even in this case, you will probably get better
results if you ask him to quiet down in a polite and considerate
way. The most polite requests generally use the expression Would
you mind...? or Do you mind...? For example:
Slide 14
1. Would you mind if I borrow(ed) your electronic dictionary?
Would you mind lending me this book? Do you mind if I turn the
radio off? Do you mind turning the TV down?
Slide 15
Requests that are slightly less formal, but still indirect and
polite, begin with Would you, Could you, or Can you. Please can be
added for additional politeness. Notice that these requests are
still in the form of a question.
Slide 16
2. Would you (please) speak more quietly? Could you speak more
loudly, (please)? Can you (please) speak more slowly?
Slide 17
If you want to be more direct, you can make your request in the
form of an imperative sentence rather than a question. In this
case, you can retain a sense of politeness by adding the word
please.
Slide 18
3. Please put the books on the table over there. If you want to
give an order, or a direct command, then you can delete the please.
Put the books over there, please.
Slide 19
The following are most often used when someone is impatient or
irritated : 4. Sit down, would you? I cant see the television! Sit
down! I cant see!
Slide 20
DIALOGUES 1. Katherine asks a favor of her uncle, who owns a
computer store. Katherine: Excuse me, Uncle Joe, can I ask you a
favor? Uncle Joe: What is it?
Slide 21
Katherine: you mind helping me set up a new program on my
computer? I cant figure out how to do it. Uncle Joe: Sure, but can
you wait until tomorrow evening? Katherine: Of course. I know youre
busy, but would
Slide 22
Uncle Joe: O.K., Ill stop by tomorrow about seven. Katherine:
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help.
Slide 23
2. Marge, a supervisor at Burger King, is talking to the
employees. Marge: Excuse me, Ben, could you go clean up those
tables over there? Ben: Sure, but would you mind waiting a few
minutes? A man just spilled his drink in front of the counter, and
I need to mop it up.
Slide 24
Marge: Thats all right. Ill ask Frank.... Frank, clean up those
tables over there, please. Frank: O.K.! No problem!
Slide 25
3. Richard is talking to his classmate Winnie. Richard: Gee, I
dont suppose you could loan me a hundred dollars, could you? I
forgot to bring my wallet to school today.
Slide 26
Winnie: Gosh, I dont have much money myself today. Its the end
of the week, and my mom hasnt given me my allowance yet. Richard:
then, so I can take the bus home? Winnie: Sure. Here you go.
Richard: Winnie: Dont worry about it! Could you lend me just 30
dollars Thanks! Ill pay you back tomorrow.
Slide 27
4. Allen is watching TV when his mother comes into the room.
Mother: Grandma is here to visit, and she has a big suitcase to
bring upstairs. She needs some help. Allen: O.K., just a minute....
Mother: Allen, did you hear me? Please go help your grandma.
Slide 28
Allen: All right.... I will...in a minute. Mother: Get up right
now, would you? Go help your grandmother! Thats an order! Allen:
O.K.! O.K.! Sorry!
Slide 29
5. Pauline and Robert are in a restaurant sitting in the
non-smoking section when a man at the next table lights up a
cigarette. Pauline: Can you believe that? He is totally ignoring
the no-smoking sign.
Slide 30
Robert: Yeah, and it smells terrible. We really should just
tell him to put that thing out. Pauline: I know, but I dont think I
have the guts to tell him. Why dont we ask the waitress? Robert:
Good idea... Excuse me, miss. Waitress:Yes, can I get you
something?
Slide 31
Robert: Im sorry, but would you mind asking that man not to
smoke? We can barely breathe. Waitress:Ill see what I can do.
(Walks over to the smoker) Excuse me, sir. Im awfully sorry, but Im
afraid this is a non-smoking section. If youd like, I can move you
to another table.
Slide 32
Smoker:Oh, Im sorry. I completely forgot! Ill put it out right
away. Waitress:Thank you. Pauline and Robert: Thank you!
Slide 33
6. Don asks for some help from his colleague Frank. Don: Say,
Frank, do you think you could help me get this projector set up for
the meeting this morning? Frank: I wish I could, Don, but Ive got
to finish up this report before 9:30. I havent got a minute to
spare.
Slide 34
Don: Oh, O.K. Sorry to bother you. Frank: No problem. Maybe you
could ask Richard. I think hes free this morning. Don: Thats all
right. I guess I can manage it myself.
Slide 35
determine [ d0't"m0n ] v. [T, I] to decide; to control or
influence directly They have determined that the conference will be
held as scheduled.
Slide 36
obtain [ Db'ten ] v. [T] to get I obtained a very clear result
with these experiments.
Slide 37
involve [ 0n'vAlv ] v. [T] to make necessary; to include
(someone or something) in something An accurate analysis involves
intensive study.
Slide 38
command [ kD'm$nd ] n. [C, U] an order Did he give a command to
tear down the wall?
Slide 39
annoyed [ D'nC0d ] adj. angry She was very annoyed with me
because I hadnt told her about it earlier.
Slide 40
considerate [ kDn's0dDr0t ] adj. caring about the feelings of
other people It was considerate of you to treat him that way.
Slide 41
slightly [ 'sla0tl0 ] adv. to some degree This jacket is
slightly more expensive than the red one.
Slide 42
additional [ D'd0NDn9 ] adj. extra; further Will there be an
extra charge for additional passengers?
Slide 43
imperative [ 0m'pGrDt0v ] adj. (in grammar) expressing a
command Please come over here, Henry is an imperative
sentence.
Slide 44
retain [ r0'ten ] v. [T] to keep He managed to retain control
of the car on the icy road.
Slide 45
sense [ sGns ] n. [C, U] feeling My brother has a good sense of
direction. He seldom gets lost.
Slide 46
delete [ d0'lit ] v. [T, I] to cross out Miss Lin asked me to
delete some words from my composition.
Slide 47
impatient [ 0m'peNDnt ] adj. annoyed patient He became
impatient because he had waited a long time without anyone paying
attention to him.
Slide 48
irritated [ '0rD`tet0d ] adj. feeling annoyed and impatient She
got irritated at his impolite behavior.
Slide 49
supervisor [ 'supQ`va0zQ ] n. [C] a person who watches over
work to see that it is done properly Bob got a full-time job as a
supervisor at that furniture factory.
Slide 50
spill [ sp0l ] v. [T, I] to accidentally pour liquid out of a
container Im sorry I spilled some coffee on the carpet. Its no use
crying over spilt milk.
Slide 51
loan [ lon ] v. [T] to lend Martha, could you loan me your
camera? I need to take some pictures.
Slide 52
totally [ 'tot90 ] adv. very, completely Her opinion was
totally different from the others.
Slide 53
awfully [ 'Cf90 ] adv. (informal) very Im awfully sorry that I
caused you so much trouble.
Slide 54
colleague [ 'kAlig ] n. [C] a person whom one works with Tom
and I have been colleagues for years. I enjoy working with
him.
Slide 55
spare [ spGr ] v. [T] to give (time, money, or space) to
someone Can you spare me a few minutes? I need to discuss this
matter with you.