2. Do you use a different way to
make a request depending on whether
you are speaking to a friend or a
teacher?
3. Do you use a different way to
make a request depending on whether
you are speaking to a friend or a
teacher?
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, I’d use more direct
words or expressions for sure.
5. What factors affect the way you
make a request?
One factor is the age difference
between me and the person I’m talking
to. With my elders, I use more polite
and formal language to make a
request, but I’m more direct and
informal with my friends. Another
factor is the weight of the favor.
6. If I need to borrow some money
from a friend or ask a special favor, I’ll
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.
7. In everyday interactions, we often
need other people’s 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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:
13. 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?
14. 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.
15. 2. Would you (please) speak more quietly?
Could you speak more loudly, (please)?
Can you (please) speak more
slowly?
16. 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.”
17. 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.
18. The following are most often used
when someone is impatient or
irritated:
4. Sit down, would you? I can’t see the
television!
Sit down! I can’t see!
19. 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?
20. Katherine:
you mind helping me set up a
new program on my
computer?
I can’t figure out how to do it.
Uncle Joe: Sure, but can you wait until
tomorrow evening?
Katherine: Of course.
I know you’re busy, but would
21. Uncle Joe: O.K., I’ll stop by tomorrow
about seven.
Katherine: Thanks so much! I really
appreciate your help.
22. 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.
23. Marge: That’s all right. I’ll ask Frank....
Frank, clean up those tables over
there, please.
Frank: O.K.! No problem!
24. 3. Richard is talking to his classmate
Winnie.
Richard: Gee, I don’t suppose you could
loan me a hundred dollars,
could
you? I forgot to bring my
wallet to school today.
25. Winnie: Gosh, I don’t have much money
myself today. It’s the end of the
week, and my mom hasn’t
given me my allowance yet.
Richard:
then, so I can take the bus home?
Winnie: Sure. Here you go.
Richard:
Winnie: Don’t worry about it!
Could you lend me just 30 dollars
Thanks! I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
26. 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.
27. Allen: All right.... I will...in a minute.
Mother: Get up right now, would you? Go
help your grandmother! That’s an
order!
Allen: O.K.! O.K.! Sorry!
28. 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.
29. Robert: Yeah, and it smells terrible. We
really should just tell him to put
that thing out.
Pauline: I know, but I don’t think I
have the guts to tell him.
Why don’t we ask the waitress?
Robert: Good idea... Excuse me, miss.
Waitress: Yes, can I get you something?
30. Robert: I’m sorry, but would you mind
asking that man not to smoke?
We can barely breathe.
Waitress: I’ll see what I can do. (Walks
over to the smoker) Excuse me,
sir. I’m awfully sorry, but I’m
afraid this is a non-smoking
section. If you’d like, I can
move you to another table.
31. Smoker: Oh, I’m sorry. I completely
forgot! I’ll put it out right away.
Waitress: Thank you.
Pauline and Robert: Thank you!
32. 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 I’ve got to
finish up this report before 9:30. I
haven’t got a minute to spare.
33. Don: Oh, O.K. Sorry to bother you.
Frank: No problem. Maybe you could ask
Richard. I think he’s free this
morning.
Don: That’s all right. I guess I can
manage
it myself.
34. determine
[ "d0't m0n] v. [T, I]
to decide; to control or influence directly
決定
They have determined that the
conference will be held as scheduled.
36. involve
[0n'vAlv] v. [T]
to make necessary; to include (someone or
something) in something
需要；使‥‥‥ 及涉
An accurate analysis involves intensive
study.
48. supervisor
['supQ`va0zQ] n. [C]
a person who watches over work to see that
it is done properly
監督者
Bob got a full-time job as a supervisor
at that furniture factory.
49. spill
[sp0l] v. [T, I]
to accidentally pour liquid out of a
container
灑出；溢出
I’m sorry I spilled some coffee on the
carpet.
It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
50. loan
[lon] v. [T]
to lend
借
Martha, could you loan me your
camera? I need to take some pictures.
