5. MAKING REQUESTS
BUSINESS ENGLISH
CONVERSATION & LISTENING
Instructor: Hsin-Hsin Cindy Lee, PhD
CONTENTS
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Basic Rules and Concepts
Conversation and Listening
Practices - Check Answers and Further Practice
Writing Practice
Checkpoint
BASIC RULES AND
CONCEPTS
Introduction
BASIC CONCEPTS
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Making requests is common in the work place.
Every company is an organization, which means people
work together and need each other.
Sometimes people give orders to their subordinates. But
not everyone is the ‘top’ manager.
Most of time, people need others’ assistance to do their
jobs or get things done by their counterparts.
Whenever you request people to render their service,
provide information or get things done, you don’t want to
offend them or ruin your relationships.
After all, if people who can help you are upset with you,
they may never get ‘your’ things done properly in time!
So, the basic rule here is – Don’t be offensive! Be polite!
BASIC CONCEPTS –
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Direct Culture
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In some cultures, it is
possible to be very direct
without being impolite
while asking people to
do things.
People in direct cultures
tend to use the
imperative sentences
and simple statements.
They may also use
‘please’ and ‘thank you’
less often.
Indirect Culture
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In indirect cultures, if
people are direct while
making requests, they
are considered rude and
aggressive.
People in indirect
cultures prefer to use
question forms and
wordy expressions to
make a request.
They also use ‘please’
and ‘thank you’ more
often.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Direct VS Indirect
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Get me those figures.
Can you get me those
figures?
Could you please get me
those figures?
Do you think you could
possibly get me those
figures, please?
I am so sorry to trouble
you. I wonder if you
would mind getting me
those figures?
What would you say?
Read aloud the
expressions again.
 What kind of expression
do you often use while
asking people to do
things?
 Can you use a polite form
of language to request
people to do things?
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CONVERSATION AND
LISTENING
Listening to the conversation and filling in the
blanks.
COMMON BUSINESS SITUATIONS
When do you need to request people to do things
for you?
 You ask your co-worker for help
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You request a colleague in the same department to
help you with your work.
 You request a colleague in other department to help
you with your work.
 You ask an executive, supervisor, manager for help or
further information in order to do your job well.
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You need someone outside the company to help
you get things done.
No matter whom you talk
 Suppliers
to, you can’t afford
 Clients/customers
offending them!
 Business partners
LISTEN TO CONVERSATION 5-A
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Theme:
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Situation:
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Requesting a colleague
Sunny and her colleague talk to each other in the
office.
Tips:
If you need to refuse someone’s request, make it
polite and friendly.
 When you need to refuse a quest, it’s better to
suggest who else can offer the help or service.
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LISTENING AND FILLING IN THE
BLANKS
A: May I use your (1)_________, Sunny? I need
one to prepare my travel (2)
___________report.
B: (3)____________, I need it for myself right
now. Brenda has one, and I (4) __________that
she’s using it.
A: She’s not at her desk, and I’d (5) _______to
take it without her (6)____________. I’ll ask
Sam for his.
LISTEN TO CONVERSATION 5-B
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Theme:
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Situation:
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Requesting a subordinate politely
Bonnie is requested by her boss to work overtime.
They talk to each other in a polite way.
Tips:
You can give an order to your subordinate, but you
can also choose to be polite and friendly so that you
show your respect.
 What kind of leader would you like to follow? What
kid of leader would you like to become?
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LISTENING AND FILLING IN
BLANKS
A: Bonnie, the firm is (1)_________. Could you
please (2) _________work (3)___________
tonight?
B: I’d be (4) ___________to. I’m not very busy,
and I could use the (5) __________ money.
A: Great! It seems that, at this (6)___________,
your and our (7) ____________ are in (8)
__________.
PRACTICES
Check your answers and practice the dialogues.
CONVERSATION 5-A
SOURCE: ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE NEW TOEIC TEST
(P.63)
A: May I use your (1) calculator, Sunny? I
need one to prepare my travel (2) expense
report.
B: (3) Actually, I need it for myself right
now. Brenda has one, and I (4) doubt that
she’s using it.
A: She’s not at her desk, and I’d (5) hate to
take it without her (6) permission. I’ll ask
Sam for his.
CONVERSATION 5-B
SOURCE: ESSENTIAL WORDS FOR THE NEW TOEIC
TEST (P.71)
A: Bonnie, the firm is (1) swamped. Could
you please (2) possibly work (3) overtime
tonight?
B: I’d be (4) delighted to. I’m not very busy,
and I could use the (5) extra money.
A: Great! It seems that, at this (6) moment,
your and our (7) needs are in (8) sync.
FURTHER PRACTICE
 Replace
you and your partner’s names
with the ones provided in the script.
 Read the script again by using your own
names.
 Practice the different situations for
socializing and small talk with your own
names without reading the script.
PRACTICE AND READ ALOUD THE
FOLLOWING PHRASES TO MAKE POLITE
REQUESTS
Is there any way you can…?
 I don’t suppose you could …?
 Would you do me a favor and…?
 I wonder if you could…
 Would you mind…(+V-ing)?
 Do you think you could possibly …?
 Would it be possible for you to …?
 I’d really appreciate it if you could…?
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WRITING PRACTICE
Writing your own expressions.
HOW CAN YOU REQUEST PEOPLE TO
GET THINGS DONE BY A DEADLINE IN A
POLITE WAY?
Write your own
sentences.
Examples
(You are calling a hotel’s
bookings manager.)
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Is there any way you can
book a conference room
for our HR meeting by
tomorrow morning?
(The hotel manager also
needs your help.)
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I wonder if you could
confirm the number of
your guests for me by
5:00 pm.
Use the phrases to write
your own requests.
 You wish something to
be done by a deadline.
 Add the deadline to your
request.
 Write at least 5
sentences.
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YOU CAN SAY THIS….
Useful phrases for
making requests politely
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Is there any way you can…?
I don’t suppose you could …? 1.
Would you do me a favor and…?
I wonder if you could…
Would you mind…(+V-ing)?
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Do you think you could
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possibly …?
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Would it be possible for you
to …?
I’d really appreciate it if you
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could…?
Adding a deadline
Example:
I don’t suppose you
could show me the latest
sales figures before this
weekend?
In an hour
By next Monday
Before the end of the
month
As soon as possible
HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST
POLITELY?
Use a polite or question form of statement to
make a request.
 Add a deadline to your request to make sure the
thing can be done efficiently.
 If you need to refuse a request, make it polite and
try to offer some other solutions.
 A request may be made face-to-face, in
emails/letters or on the phone. The concepts and
rules apply to all.
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CHECKPOINT
Why should people make requests politely in the
workplace?
 How can people make a polite request?
 Can you provide at least three useful phrases for
making requests politely?
 How can you help people to get your things done
in time? What should you say to them?
 How should you refuse a request?
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END
Do you have any questions?