2
LESSON
Making requests
GRAMMAR
STUDY
Making requests
Modal
you
Base Form
Affirmative
Negative
Can
you
call
these patients?
Yes, of course. I’m sorry, but I can’t.
Will
Sure.
I’m afraid I can’t.
Could
copy
this file?
No problem.
Would
finish
the report?
Would you mind
Gerund
Affirmative
Negative
Would you mind
checking
the database? No, not at all.
I’m sorry, but I can’t.
helping
me?
Of course not.
I’m afraid I can’t.
Could
and
Would
are more polite than
Will
and
Can
.
Would you mind
is the most polite.
It is polite to use the word
please
with requests.
Please
can come before the verb or at
the end of the sentence:
Can you please help me? Can you help me please?
Grammar Note
PRACTICE
A
Complete the conversations with the request words in parentheses. Add the subject
and change the verb form when necessary. Then complete the responses.
1. A:
(Can, send)
Can you send
this report to all the doctors?
B:
Yes, of
course
.
2. A:
(Would you mind, wait)
here for a few minutes?
B:
Not
.
3. A:
(Will, collect)
please
the lunch trays?
B:
I’m
, but I can’t. I have to leave before the end of lunch.
B
Rewrite the requests on a separate piece of paper. Use the words in parentheses.
1.
(Could) Please email all of these insurance companies.
Could you please email all of these insurance companies?
2.
(Would you mind) Please stay 15 minutes later tonight.
3.
(Would) Finish your report before you leave, please.
4.
(Will) Please send the information to the person’s home address.
PAIRS
Write 5 tasks you want someone to do for you. Ask your partner politely to do them.
Questions: Modals
Can
/
Will
/
Could
/
Would
Short Answers
Questions:
Would You Mind
Short Answers
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
UNIT 6
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