A. How to make requests and offers in English
Asking someone to do something for you
"Could you open the door for me, please?"
"Would you mind opening the door for me, please?"
"Can you open the door for me, please?'
Speaking tip: could and can are followed by the verb without to. (See our page on modal auxiliary verbsfor more grammar information.)
Would you mind is followed by the verb and -ing.
Asking if you can do something
"Can I use your computer, please?"
"Could I borrow some money from you, please?"
"Do you mind if I turn up the heating?"
"Would you mind if I turned up the heating?"
Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can.
Do you mind if…" is followed by the verb in the present tense, but would you mind if… is followed by the verb in the past tense.
When you're using these two sentences, don't use please. It's already polite enough!
Offering to do something for another person
You can make an offer using a phrase like Can I… ?, Shall I… ?, Would you like me to… ?
For example:
"Can I help you?"
"Shall I open the window for you?"
"Would you like another coffee?"
"Would you like me to answer the phone?"
"I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
Shall, can and will are followed by the verb without to.
Shall is particularly British English and is more formal than can. Would you like… is followed either by a noun, or by an object pronoun and the verb with to.
B.Responding to offers
These English dialogues show you ways to accept or reject offers made to you.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes please. I'd like to know what time the train leaves."
"Can I help you?"
"No thanks, I'm just looking." (In a shop.)
"Shall I open the window for you?"
"Yes please. That would be very kind of you."
"Would you like another coffee?"
"No thanks." Or, "No thank you."
"Would you like another coffee?"
"Yes please, that would be lovely." Or, "Yes please, I'd love one."
"Would you like me to answer the phone?"
"If you wouldn't mind." Or, "If you could."
(Don't answer "Yes, I would", as this sounds like you expect someone to do it for you.)
"I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
"It's OK, I can do it." Or, "Don't worry, I'll do it.
"Or, "Thank you, that would be great."
C. Being friendly in English
Having good social skills is important if you want to make a good impression on the people you meet. Here's some advice on what is considered polite or impolite in English-speaking cultures.
1. Please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry
These polite expressions are used a lot in spoken English, and not using them can make you appear rude. As politeness is considered perhaps the most important quality in relationships, make sure you use them! Don't worry if you think you use them too frequently: the worst that people will think of you is that you are sweet and charming:))
Please = use whenever you want someone to do something for you, or if you want something from another person
Can you tell me where the post office is, please?
Can you pass me that newspaper please?
Never use imperative forms unless you are giving someone directions. So although you can say to someone "Take the 130 bus to Croydon and get off at Asda supermarket", you can't say to someone "Pass me that newspaper".
Thank you = use whenever someone does something for you, or gives you something.
Excuse me = use when you want to introduce a request to someone, or if you want to get past someone
Excuse me, can you tell me where the post office is, please?
Excuse me, is this the right platform for the London train?
I'm sorry = use any time that you inconvenience someone, tread on someone's toes in a crowded train, or if someone asks you something that you can't do.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Is the post office on the left or the right?
Is Mr Jones in the office?
I'm sorry, he's out this morning.
2. Ask permission before doing something that may inconvenience others
Do you mind if I open the window?
Can I take this chair?
3. Avoid controversial topics when you meet someone new
Some topics of conversation can lead to arguments, so unless you know someone well, it's best to avoid them. These topics are politics, religion and financial information such as how much money you earn. If you are in doubt about what to talk about, let the other person take the lead, and respond to them. This leads on to the next point:
4. Keep the conversation going
If someone asks you a question, respond to it. Avoid one-word answers, and try to say at least a few words. Then you can return the question.
For example, if someone says "Terrible weather, isn't it", avoid just saying "yes". Instead you can say "Yes, I wish it would stop raining" or "Yes, it wasn't like this last summer, was it?"
D. Talking about the Holidays
Most people take a break around the Christmas period and spend time with their families. In English-speaking countries, we wish people we know a happy Christmas. Here are some useful phrases for this.
Before the holidays
If I don't see you before, have a lovely Christmas!
Have a great Christmas, won't you!
Have a good one!
Happy Christmas to you!
Asking people about their plans
What are you up to over Christmas?
Got any plans for Christmas and New Year?
Are you at home over Christmas, or are you going away?
After the holidays
When people see each other after the New Year holidays, they often use a greeting such as "Happy New Year!" Some people also ask about New Year resolutions (the promises that you make to yourself to get fitter, lose weight, change job etc) or refer more generally to the whole of the Christmas / New Year holiday period.
Asking about the holidays
What did you do over Christmas?
What did you get up to?
Do anything exciting / special over the holidays?
Have you made any resolutions?
You could also ask about Christmas gifts (especially to children).
What did you get for Christmas?
Did Father Christmas bring you what you wanted for Christmas?
Giving a vague reply
Nothing much.
Nothing special.
Oh, the usual…
Same old (= nothing new)
Giving more information
(Did you have a good Christmas?)
It was great / fantastic / wonderful / lovely / thanks.
Really relaxing / Just what I needed.
We saw the in-laws / some of the family.
We got away for a couple of days.
We had a quiet one at home.
Asking the other person
To keep the conversation going, try returning the question.
What about you? (Did you have a) good Christmas?
And you? Did you see the New Year in? (to see the New Year in means to celebrate the New Year at midnight.)
E. Making appointments
Useful phrases for making and changing appointments.
Asking to meet
"Are you available on the 17th?"
"Can we meet on the 16th?"
"How does the 3rd sound to you?"
"Are you free next week?"
"Would Friday suit you?"
"Is next Tuesday convenient for you?"
"What about sometime next week?"
Agreeing on a date
"Yes, Thursday is fine."
"Thursday suits me."
"Thursday would be perfect."
Suggesting a different date
"I'm afraid I can't on the 3rd. What about the 6th?"
"I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?"
"Ah, Wednesday is going to be a little difficult. I'd much prefer Friday, if that's alright with you."
"I really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?"
Setting a time
"What sort of time would suit you?"
"Is 3pm a good time for you?"
"If possible, I'd like to meet in the morning."
"How does 2pm sound to you?"
Changing the arrangement
"You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm very sorry, but something urgent has come up."
"I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?"
"Something has just cropped up and I won't be able to meet you this afternoon. Can we make another time?"
F. Complaining in English
When complaining in English, it helps to be polite. This page will help you with this important English speaking skill.
In a shop
You're in a shop and the assistant gives you the wrong change.
"Excuse me, I think you've given me the wrong change", or "Sorry, I think this change is wrong. I gave you $20, not $10."
In a hotel
"Excuse me, but there's a problem with the heating in my room."
"Sorry to bother you, but I think there's something wrong with the air-conditioning."
"I'm afraid I have to make a complaint. Some money has gone missing from my hotel room."
"I'm afraid there's a slight problem with my room – the bed hasn't been made."
When people apologise, they normally say "sorry" and offer to put the situation right.
"Excuse me, but there's a problem with the heating."
"I'm sorry – I'll get someone to check it for you."
or "Sorry to hear that – I'll send someone up."
G. Making invitations
Here are some useful phrases to make and accept invitations in English.
Inviting
Invitations are often structured into three parts: asking the person if they're free, saying what the event is, then inviting the person to attend. For example:
"What are you doing next Saturday? We're having some people over for a meal. Would you like to come?"
"Have you got anything on for this evening? A couple of us are going to the pub after work if you'd like to come."
(to have something on = to have an arrangement)
Other ways to make an invitation:
"Are you free next Thursday?"
"Are you doing anything next weekend?"
"Would you be interested in coming to the cinema with me tonight?"
"How do you fancy going out for a meal at the weekend?"
"Do you fancy coming to the cinema with us on Tuesday?"
"Would you like to join Sally and I for a bite to eat after work?"
Accepting
If your invitation starts with a phrase like:
"Would you like to…"
You can reply:
"I'd love to, thanks."
"That's very kind of you, thanks."
"That sounds lovely, thanks."
If the invitation begins:
Do you fancy coming to the cinema tonight?
You can accept with:
"What a great idea, thanks."
"Sure! What's on?"
"Yeah, why not!" (this can sound a little unenthusiastic, so use it with good friends.)
Declining
"Would you like to come over for dinner on Saturday?"
"That's
A. How to make requests and offers in English
Asking someone to do something for you
"Could you open the door for me, please?"
"Would you mind opening the door for me, please?"
"Can you open the door for me, please?'
Speaking tip: could and can are followed by the verb without to. (See our page on modal auxiliary verbsfor more grammar information.)
Would you mind is followed by the verb and -ing.
Asking if you can do something
"Can I use your computer, please?"
"Could I borrow some money from you, please?"
"Do you mind if I turn up the heating?"
"Would you mind if I turned up the heating?"
Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can.
Do you mind if…" is followed by the verb in the present tense, but would you mind if… is followed by the verb in the past tense.
When you're using these two sentences, don't use please. It's already polite enough!
Offering to do something for another person
You can make an offer using a phrase like Can I… ?, Shall I… ?, Would you like me to… ?
For example:
"Can I help you?"
"Shall I open the window for you?"
"Would you like another coffee?"
"Would you like me to answer the phone?"
"I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
Shall, can and will are followed by the verb without to.
Shall is particularly British English and is more formal than can. Would you like… is followed either by a noun, or by an object pronoun and the verb with to.
B.Responding to offers
These English dialogues show you ways to accept or reject offers made to you.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes please. I'd like to know what time the train leaves."
"Can I help you?"
"No thanks, I'm just looking." (In a shop.)
"Shall I open the window for you?"
"Yes please. That would be very kind of you."
"Would you like another coffee?"
"No thanks." Or, "No thank you."
"Would you like another coffee?"
"Yes please, that would be lovely." Or, "Yes please, I'd love one."
"Would you like me to answer the phone?"
"If you wouldn't mind." Or, "If you could."
(Don't answer "Yes, I would", as this sounds like you expect someone to do it for you.)
"I'll do the photocopying, if you like."
"It's OK, I can do it." Or, "Don't worry, I'll do it.
"Or, "Thank you, that would be great."
C. Being friendly in English
Having good social skills is important if you want to make a good impression on the people you meet. Here's some advice on what is considered polite or impolite in English-speaking cultures.
1. Please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry
These polite expressions are used a lot in spoken English, and not using them can make you appear rude. As politeness is considered perhaps the most important quality in relationships, make sure you use them! Don't worry if you think you use them too frequently: the worst that people will think of you is that you are sweet and charming:))
Please = use whenever you want someone to do something for you, or if you want something from another person
Can you tell me where the post office is, please?
Can you pass me that newspaper please?
Never use imperative forms unless you are giving someone directions. So although you can say to someone "Take the 130 bus to Croydon and get off at Asda supermarket", you can't say to someone "Pass me that newspaper".
Thank you = use whenever someone does something for you, or gives you something.
Excuse me = use when you want to introduce a request to someone, or if you want to get past someone
Excuse me, can you tell me where the post office is, please?
Excuse me, is this the right platform for the London train?
I'm sorry = use any time that you inconvenience someone, tread on someone's toes in a crowded train, or if someone asks you something that you can't do.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Is the post office on the left or the right?
Is Mr Jones in the office?
I'm sorry, he's out this morning.
2. Ask permission before doing something that may inconvenience others
Do you mind if I open the window?
Can I take this chair?
3. Avoid controversial topics when you meet someone new
Some topics of conversation can lead to arguments, so unless you know someone well, it's best to avoid them. These topics are politics, religion and financial information such as how much money you earn. If you are in doubt about what to talk about, let the other person take the lead, and respond to them. This leads on to the next point:
4. Keep the conversation going
If someone asks you a question, respond to it. Avoid one-word answers, and try to say at least a few words. Then you can return the question.
For example, if someone says "Terrible weather, isn't it", avoid just saying "yes". Instead you can say "Yes, I wish it would stop raining" or "Yes, it wasn't like this last summer, was it?"
D. Talking about the Holidays
Most people take a break around the Christmas period and spend time with their families. In English-speaking countries, we wish people we know a happy Christmas. Here are some useful phrases for this.
Before the holidays
If I don't see you before, have a lovely Christmas!
Have a great Christmas, won't you!
Have a good one!
Happy Christmas to you!
Asking people about their plans
What are you up to over Christmas?
Got any plans for Christmas and New Year?
Are you at home over Christmas, or are you going away?
After the holidays
When people see each other after the New Year holidays, they often use a greeting such as "Happy New Year!" Some people also ask about New Year resolutions (the promises that you make to yourself to get fitter, lose weight, change job etc) or refer more generally to the whole of the Christmas / New Year holiday period.
Asking about the holidays
What did you do over Christmas?
What did you get up to?
Do anything exciting / special over the holidays?
Have you made any resolutions?
You could also ask about Christmas gifts (especially to children).
What did you get for Christmas?
Did Father Christmas bring you what you wanted for Christmas?
Giving a vague reply
Nothing much.
Nothing special.
Oh, the usual…
Same old (= nothing new)
Giving more information
(Did you have a good Christmas?)
It was great / fantastic / wonderful / lovely / thanks.
Really relaxing / Just what I needed.
We saw the in-laws / some of the family.
We got away for a couple of days.
We had a quiet one at home.
Asking the other person
To keep the conversation going, try returning the question.
What about you? (Did you have a) good Christmas?
And you? Did you see the New Year in? (to see the New Year in means to celebrate the New Year at midnight.)
E. Making appointments
Useful phrases for making and changing appointments.
Asking to meet
"Are you available on the 17th?"
"Can we meet on the 16th?"
"How does the 3rd sound to you?"
"Are you free next week?"
"Would Friday suit you?"
"Is next Tuesday convenient for you?"
"What about sometime next week?"
Agreeing on a date
"Yes, Thursday is fine."
"Thursday suits me."
"Thursday would be perfect."
Suggesting a different date
"I'm afraid I can't on the 3rd. What about the 6th?"
"I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?"
"Ah, Wednesday is going to be a little difficult. I'd much prefer Friday, if that's alright with you."
"I really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?"
Setting a time
"What sort of time would suit you?"
"Is 3pm a good time for you?"
"If possible, I'd like to meet in the morning."
"How does 2pm sound to you?"
Changing the arrangement
"You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm very sorry, but something urgent has come up."
"I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?"
"Something has just cropped up and I won't be able to meet you this afternoon. Can we make another time?"
F. Complaining in English
When complaining in English, it helps to be polite. This page will help you with this important English speaking skill.
In a shop
You're in a shop and the assistant gives you the wrong change.
"Excuse me, I think you've given me the wrong change", or "Sorry, I think this change is wrong. I gave you $20, not $10."
In a hotel
"Excuse me, but there's a problem with the heating in my room."
"Sorry to bother you, but I think there's something wrong with the air-conditioning."
"I'm afraid I have to make a complaint. Some money has gone missing from my hotel room."
"I'm afraid there's a slight problem with my room – the bed hasn't been made."
When people apologise, they normally say "sorry" and offer to put the situation right.
"Excuse me, but there's a problem with the heating."
"I'm sorry – I'll get someone to check it for you."
or "Sorry to hear that – I'll send someone up."
G. Making invitations
Here are some useful phrases to make and accept invitations in English.
Inviting
Invitations are often structured into three parts: asking the person if they're free, saying what the event is, then inviting the person to attend. For example:
"What are you doing next Saturday? We're having some people over for a meal. Would you like to come?"
"Have you got anything on for this evening? A couple of us are going to the pub after work if you'd like to come."
(to have something on = to have an arrangement)
Other ways to make an invitation:
"Are you free next Thursday?"
"Are you doing anything next weekend?"
"Would you be interested in coming to the cinema with me tonight?"
"How do you fancy going out for a meal at the weekend?"
"Do you fancy coming to the cinema with us on Tuesday?"
"Would you like to join Sally and I for a bite to eat after work?"
Accepting
If your invitation starts with a phrase like:
"Would you like to…"
You can reply:
"I'd love to, thanks."
"That's very kind of you, thanks."
"That sounds lovely, thanks."
If the invitation begins:
Do you fancy coming to the cinema tonight?
You can accept with:
"What a great idea, thanks."
"Sure! What's on?"
"Yeah, why not!" (this can sound a little unenthusiastic, so use it with good friends.)
Declining
"Would you like to come over for dinner on Saturday?"
"That's
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