Unit 13 - Requests Can, Could, Will, Would, Would You Mind 5p1s3g

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Requests: Can, Could, Will, Would, Would you mind

Requests in the Classroom Focus on Grammar 3 Part III, Unit 13 By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requests Would you please write clearly? Could you work with a partner on Exercise 4?

More Requests NO!!

I’m sorry, I can’t. I don’t accept late homework .

Would you accept my homework late? My dog ate it.

And More Requests Would you mind looking over my assignment? I’m not sure it’s right.

And, could I leave class ten minutes early today?

And Even More Requests! Can I borrow your eraser for a moment?

Will you let me copy your homework?

Sure.

NO!!!

Formal Requests Use could and would to make formal requests (ask someone to do something). Could and would soften requests and make them more polite.

base form

Could you work on Exercise 4?

Informal Requests Use can and will for less formal requests.

Can I borrow your eraser?

base form

Sure.

Requests with Please Use please to make a request more polite. Note the word order.

Would you please Would you openopen your your books? books, please? please

Practice 1 Example:

Change the statements into polite requests using would or could. Add please.

Open your books. Would/Could you please open your books? 1. Turn Would/Could to page twelve. you please turn to page twelve? 2. Repeat Would/Could yousaid. please repeat what you said? what you 3. Take Would/Could you please take out your notebooks? out your notebooks. 4. Pronounce Would/Could thisyou word. please pronounce this word ? 5. Write down theyou answers. Would/Could please write down the answers? 6. Tell Would/Could me what grade you please I got. tell me what grade I got?

Affirmative Affirmative Answers Answers to to Requests Requests When we say yes to a request, we usually use expressions such as sure, certainly, of course, and no problem. Would you help me read this?

Of course I will help you.

Negative Answers to Requests When we cannot say yes to a request, we usually apologize and give an explanation.

Would you accept my homework late?

NO!! I’m sorry, I can’t. can’t I don’t accept late homework.

What she thinks

What she says

Practice 2

Imagine you are in these situations. Make polite requests with Would you mind. Then think of possible replies.

Example: You are talking to your English teacher. A: Would you mind explaining a grammar rule to me? B: Not at all. How can I help you?

1. You are talking to your boss. 2. You want your co-worker to help you. 3. You want your children to clean up their rooms. 4. You want your wife/ husband to help you cook dinner.

Would you mind …? Use would you mind + gerund to make polite requests.

Would you mind opening the door for me?

Gerund = base form + -ing

Be Careful! When we answer this type of request with Not at all, it means that we will do what the person requests.

Would you mind looking over my assignment?

I don’t mind at all! Not at all! OK. I’ll do it!

References Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.