A . Positive Requests .

When we want someone to do something we may use the imperative with please.

E.g. Sit down, please.

Please sit down.

Please in initial position tends to be more emphatic. Note that there is no pause (and no comma) after it. Nor is there a pause before please in the first type of sentence, in spite of the comma.

In many situations, however, the imperative with please is not considered polite enough. Then we use one of the following phrases (said with a rising tone), which are listed in order of increasing politeness (formality).

Will you …………. (please)?

Would / Could you ……….. (please)?

D’you think you could ………….?

Would you mind ……….ing?

Will / Would you be so kind to …………..? - very formal.

The choice between the various alternatives given above depends on:

1) how large the request is (and therefore how much trouble or inconvenience it will cause);

E.g. a) Will you pass the salt, please?

b) Would you mind posting the letter for me?

2) how well we know the person we ask. Thus the same request may be formulated with different degrees of politeness.

E.g. a) Open the window, please.

b) Will you open the window?

c) Would you open the window, please?

d) Would you mind opening the window?

e) Would you be so kind as to open the window?

When one has little hope of one’s request being granted, or at least wishes to give this impression, one can use:

I don’t suppose ………..

E.g. I don’t suppose you could lend me a fiver (to tide me over) till Monday, could you, John?

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The usual replies are:

(Yes,) certainly.- formal.

(Yes,) of course.- semi – formal, informal.

All right. - expressing a lesser degree of willingness.

OK. - informal, often casual (only among friends and relations).

(Yes,) here you are.- when handing someone something he has asked for.

{ at all.

Not { in the least. } in reply to Would you mind …..?

{ a bit.

I’m afraid I can’t. - formal, semi - formal.

(I’m) sorry, I can’t. - semi- formal, informal.

No, I can’t / won’t. - a point-blank refusal. Abrupt, possibly rude.

Illustrative Examples.

Note: These are given in order of increasing formality (politeness).

1. -- Will you help me move the table?

- Yes, of course.

2. -- Will you give me a ring tomorrow morning about ten?

- All right.

3. -- Could you lend me a pound till Saturday?

- I’m sorry, but I’m rather short of money at the moment.

4. -- Could you tell me the way to the station, please?

- Yes. Turn left at the traffic lights and then keep straight on.

5. -- Would you fill in this form, please?

- Certainly.

6. -- D’you think you could give me a lift?

- Of course. Get in.

7. -- Would you mind waiting a moment?

- Not at all.

8. -- Would you be so kind as to show me the way?

- Certainly.