Page 52 - Speak En Around Twon_Neat

�� Language Lens: Polite Requests

W'.' Use one of these phrases to make polite requests:

• Could you (please)

• Would you mind
• I was wondering if you could

Here's how to form the sentences:

=> Option A: Could you + base form* of verb+ "?":

Examples:
• Could you pick up a pizza on your way home from work?

• Could you help me translate this letter?
• Could you please** drop my book off at the library?

* The base form of the verb is the verb without any endings
** The "please" here is optional. Of course, it makes the request
more polite.

=> Option B: Would you mind+ [verb+ ing] + "?"

Examples:

• Would you mind picking up a pizza on your way home from
work?

• Would you mind helping me translate this letter?
• Would you mind dropping my book off at the library?

=> Option C: I was wondering if you could + base form of verb

+ "."

Examples:
• I was wondering if you could pick up a pizza on your way home

from work.
• I was wondering if you could help me translate this letter.

• I was wondering if you could drop my book off at the library.

Note that Options B and C are less direct than Option A and there­
fore may sound a little more polite.

46