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What Do We Mean by Making Requests?
Sometimes we want others to do something for us or give us something. In this case, we have to know how to ask for what we want without sounding rude.
Requests: Types
There are two main types of requests in English:
Direct requests
Indirect requests
Direct Requests
Direct requests are formed when we directly ask people to do something for us. Direct requests typically take the form of imperative sentences and might sound like orders which is not considered polite.
Drive me home!
Pass me the salt!
Indirect Requests
Indirect requests are considered more polite. They are formed when we use some modal verbs in an interrogative structure to soften the request and make it more polite. For example:
Could you give me the keys?
Will you take it?
Here is a list of modal verbs that are commonly used to make indirect requests.
Using 'Can'
The modal verb 'can,' is used to make indirect requests. It is considered less formal and is suitable for casual requests. Check out the examples.
Can you turn off the lights?
Can I have a cup of coffee?
Using 'Could'
The modal verb 'could' forms requests that are made at the present time, not the past.'Could' makes the requests more formal and polite.
Could you call me later?
Could you help me with my homework, please?
Using 'Will'
The modal verb 'will' is used with second-person pronouns to make requests in an informal and friendly tone. For example:
Will you close the window, please? It is cold outside.
Will you pick me up after the party?
Using 'Would'
'Would' is another modal verb that is used to make indirect requests. It is used to form polite, formal requests with second-person pronouns. Check out the examples.
Would you come over? I need to talk to you.
Would you fill up the car on your way home?
The modal verb 'would,' is also used in an expression that makes the request more polite and indirect: would you mind + gerund. Let us take a look at the examples:
Would you mind washing the dishes?
Would you mind helping me with this?
Please
We can use the word 'please' after the pronoun or at the end of the interrogative sentences to make the requests even more polite.
Remember, a comma must be used before 'please' when it is used at the end of the sentence. For example:
Can you please help me paint the walls?
Would you remind me to take the keys, please?
Negative Request
Negative requests involve asking someone not to do something, because it annoys us or is generally wrong or dangerous.
In this case, we have to use the negative marker 'not' before the main verb. Check out the examples:
Would you not shout at me?
Could you not look at my phone when I am texting?
Review
Making requests means asking someone to do something for us. In English, there are two ways of making requests. Here are the two types of requests in English:
direct requests
indirect requests
To make indirect requests, some modal verbs are used, as listed below:
can
could
will
would
Quiz:
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Which request suits a formal workplace email?
Will you send me the report?
Would you kindly send me the report?
Send me the report, please.
Can you shoot me the report?
Which negative request is grammatically correct?
Could you don't smoke here?
Would you not smoking here?
Could you not smoke here?
Would you mind not smoke here?
Match each request with its correct description.
Fill the blanks with appropriate modals.
I borrow your pen?
you mind turning down the music?
you please not smoke here?
you grab some milk on your way home?
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