Language Functions

Formal

Neutral

Informal

It's important to make requests in the right way. If you go into the newsagents shop to buy The Times, and say “Give me The Times”, it will seem very rude. On the other hand if you go into the Bar and say “Do you think it would be possible for you to let me have a hamburger, if it's no trouble?” then people will think you are crazy because you are too polite!

There are different levels of politeness which you must use when talking to different people in different situations. For example, if you want to ask somebody what time it is, you can say:

1. What time is it? 3. Could you tell me what time it is, please?

2. What time is it, please? 4. Excuse me, could you tell me the time?

Number 1 is very direct and not very polite, 2 and 3 are more polite, and 4 is most polite.

When abroad you may need to make some requests such as:

Remember: the most important thing about asking favours is how you ask (your disposition), rather than the actual words you use. When it seems likely that the other person will refuse, the question can be phrased so that refusal doesn’t cause embarrassment.

Ex. Practise using the polite forms of making requests. You want to do/have the following:

Model: Can I ask you a question?

I’d like to have my passport back, could I?

Could you bring me some chewing gum, please?

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 1142