Making Requests in English: Polite, Natural and Real-Life Phrases

In this lesson, you will learn the most useful ways of making requests in English, from direct everyday requests to polite phrases for work, shops, cafés, emails, and Cambridge speaking exams.

Sooner or later, everyone needs to ask for something in English.

• You may need someone to open a window.
• You may want a colleague to help you.
• You may be ordering food in a café.
• You may need a stranger to repeat what they said.

In English, how you ask is just as important as what you ask.

Sometimes you can be direct. Sometimes you need to be polite. Sometimes you need to sound very polite indeed. If you choose the wrong form, you may sound rude, impatient, too informal, or strangely formal — even if your grammar is correct.

What Is a Request?

A request is when you ask someone to do something for you.

For example:

• Can you help me?
• Could you open the window, please?
• Would you mind speaking a little more slowly?
• I was wondering if you could send me the details.

All these sentences are requests, but they are not equally formal. Some are friendly and direct. Others are more polite and careful.

Compare:

• Help me.
• Can you help me?
• Could you help me, please?
• I was wondering if you could help me.

They all communicate a similar idea, but the tone is very different.

Why Politeness Matters in English

English speakers often use indirect language to sound polite. This is especially true when speaking to strangers, colleagues, teachers, customers, hotel staff, waiters, or examiners.

A sentence may be grammatically correct but socially too direct.

For example:

• Give me the report.

This is grammatically correct, but it can sound rude or bossy.

A better version would be:

• Could you send me the report, please?

Or, in a more formal situation:

• I was wondering if you could send me the report when you have a moment.

Good English is not only about grammar. It is also about tone, situation, and relationship.

Direct Requests: Using the Imperative

The imperative is the base form of the verb.

• Open the door.
• Sit down.

We use the imperative when we are giving instructions, speaking to people we know well, or reacting quickly in urgent situations. The imperative is useful, but it can sound too direct if you use it with strangers or colleagues.

Making Imperatives Softer with “Please”

You can make an imperative more polite by adding please.

Examples:

• Bring us some more coffee, please.
• Please sit down.

However, be careful. Please helps, but it does not always make a sentence fully polite.

For example:

• Give me your phone number, please.

This is better than:

• Give me your phone number.

But it may still sound too direct in many situations.

A more polite version would be:

• Could you give me your phone number, please?

Or:

• Would you mind giving me your phone number?

Everyday Requests with “Can You…?”

Can you…? is one of the most common ways to make requests in English. It is normal, friendly, and useful in everyday situations.

• Can you help me with this exercise?
• Can you call me later?

We often use can you with friends, family, classmates, and colleagues we know well.

It is polite enough in many situations, especially when you add please.

• Can you help me, please?
• Can you speak a little more slowly, please?

Polite Requests with “Could You…?”

Could you…? is more polite and softer than can you…?

It is one of the safest phrases to use when making requests in English because it sounds polite without being too formal.

• Could you open the window, please?
• Could you hold the door for me, please?

Use could you…? with colleagues, strangers, teachers, customers, and people you do not know very well.

Very Polite Requests with “Could You Possibly…?”

Could you possibly…? is even more polite. We often use it when the request may be inconvenient or difficult for the other person.

• Could you possibly give me a hand with these boxes?
• Could you possibly call the client and confirm the appointment?

This phrase is very useful in professional English because it sounds respectful and careful.

Polite Requests with “Would You…?”

We can also use would you…? to make polite requests. It often sounds a little more formal than could you…?

• Would you send me the report when you have time?
• Would you help me with this form, please?

This structure is common in polite conversation, work situations, and exams.

Softer Requests with “Do You Think You Could…?”

Do you think you could…? is a softer and more indirect way to ask someone to do something.

• Do you think you could drive me to the airport on Saturday?
• Do you think you could help me with my homework?

This structure is useful when you do not want to sound too direct.

Very Polite Requests with “Would You Mind + -ing?”

We use would you mind + -ing to make very polite requests.

Structure:

Would you mind + verb-ing?

• Would you mind opening the window?
• Would you mind helping me with this exercise

Be careful with the grammar.

Correct:

• Would you mind helping me?

Incorrect:

• Would you mind to help me?

After mind, we use the -ing form.

“Do You Mind…?” and “Would You Mind…?”

Both do you mind…? and would you mind…? are polite, but would you mind…? is usually softer and more formal.

• Do you mind closing the door?
• Would you mind closing the door?

The second version sounds more polite.

“Do You Mind If I…?” for Permission

Be careful: Do you mind if I…? is not asking someone to do something. It is asking for permission.

• Do you mind if I sit here?
• Would you mind if I asked you a question?

The answers can confuse learners.

A: Do you mind if I sit here?

B: No, not at all.

This means: “It’s OK. You can sit here.”

A: Do you mind if I open the window?

B: Actually, I’d rather you didn’t.

This means: “Please don’t open it.”

English is polite, but occasionally it likes to play little tricks on us.

Indirect Requests with “Is There Any Chance You Could…?”

This phrase is very useful when the request may be inconvenient for the other person.

• Is there any chance you could cover my shift on Friday?
• Is there any chance you could drop by tomorrow morning?

This phrase sounds polite, friendly, and slightly indirect.

Formal Requests with “Would It Be Possible To…?”

Would it be possible to…? is a formal and polite way to make a request. It is especially useful in emails, work situations, and customer service.

• Would it be possible to arrange a meeting next week?
• Would it be possible to change the appointment

You can also say:

• Would it be possible for you to send me the report?
• Would it be possible for you to check the delivery details?

Very Polite Requests with “I Was Wondering If You Could…”

This is one of the most polite and natural ways to make a request.

• I was wondering if you could give me some advice.
• I was wondering if you could check my essay.

This phrase is excellent for formal emails, professional situations, and speaking exams.

Formal Requests with “Would You Be Kind Enough To…?”

This is a very polite and formal phrase.

• Would you be kind enough to help me with this form?
• Would you be kind enough to send me the information?

Be careful with the structure.

Correct:

• Would you be kind enough to help me?

Incorrect:

• Would you be kind to help me?

“Do You Want To…?” as an Informal Request

Sometimes English speakers use Do you want to…? as a friendly, informal way to ask someone to do something.

• Do you want to give me a hand in the kitchen?
• Do you want to carry this bag for me?

However, this can sound more like a suggestion than a request. It is friendly and natural, but not suitable for formal situations.

In formal English, use:

• Could you give me a hand?
• Would you mind helping me?
• I was wondering if you could help me.

Asking for Things in Shops, Cafés and Restaurants

When ordering food or drinks, English often sounds indirect and polite.

Common phrases include:

• I’ll have…
• I’d like…
• We’ll have…
• We’d like…

Examples:

• I’ll have tuna and salad, please.
• We’ll have two coffees, please.
• I’d like chocolate ice cream with strawberry sauce.
• We’d like two teas and a slice of cake, please.
• I’d like a bottle of still water, please.

I’d like… is a little more polite than I’ll have…, but both are common.

Asking Someone to Give You Something

When you want someone to give you something, you can use:

• Can I have…?
• Could I have…?
• May I have…?

Examples:

• Can I have a glass of water, please?
• Could I have the bill, please?
• Could we have our ball back, please?
• Could I have your number?
• May I have your name, please?

Could I have…? is more polite than Can I have…?

May I have…? is more formal.

Asking Someone to Repeat Something

This is very useful in real-life conversations and exams.

• Sorry, could you repeat that, please?
• Could you say that again, please?
• Would you mind repeating that?
• Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
• Could you speak a little more slowly, please?
• Could you explain what you mean?

These phrases are much better than simply saying:

• What?

In English, What? can sound rude if your tone is too direct.

Accepting Requests

When someone asks you to do something, you can accept the request in different ways.

Friendly and Natural Phrases

• Of course.
• Sure.
• No problem.
• No worries.
• Certainly.
• That’s fine.
• I’d be happy to.
• I’d be glad to.

Examples:

A: Could you send me the file?

B: Of course. I’ll send it now.

A: Can you help me with this exercise?

B: Sure. What do you need?

A: Would you mind checking this for me?

B: Not at all. Let me have a look.

Formal Ways to Accept Requests

In professional situations, you can say:

• Certainly.
• I’d be happy to help.
• I’d be delighted to help.
• It would be my pleasure.
• I’ll take care of it.
• I’ll deal with it straight away.

Examples:

A: Would it be possible to arrange a meeting?

B: Certainly. I’ll check my calendar.

A: Could you possibly confirm the booking?

B: I’d be happy to. I’ll send you an email shortly.

A: Would you be kind enough to forward the details?

B: Of course. I’ll do that now.

Refusing Requests Politely

Sometimes we cannot accept a request. In English, it is important to refuse politely, especially at work or in formal situations.

Simple Polite Refusals

• I’m sorry, but I can’t.
• I’m afraid I can’t.
• Sorry, I’m not able to.
• Unfortunately, I can’t.
• I’m really sorry, but I’m busy at the moment.

Examples:

A: Could you help me this afternoon?

B: I’m sorry, but I can’t. I have an appointment.

A: Can you drive me to the airport?

B: I’m afraid I can’t. My car is being repaired.

Softer Ways to Refuse a Request

• I’d love to, but I’m afraid I’m busy.
• I’d be happy to help, but I’m not available today.
• I wish I could, but I already have plans.
• Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help this time.
• I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can manage it.

Examples:

A: Could you cover my shift tomorrow?

B: I’d love to, but I’m afraid I already have plans.

A: Would you mind helping us move house this weekend?

B: I wish I could, but I’m visiting my parents.

A: Could you finish the report by tonight?

B: I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can manage it by then.

Offering an Alternative

When refusing a request, it is polite to offer another solution if possible.

Examples:

• I’m afraid I can’t help today, but I could help tomorrow.
• I’m sorry, I’m busy this morning, but I can call you after lunch.
• Unfortunately, I can’t attend the meeting, but I can send you my notes.
• I can’t do it myself, but I can ask Mark if he is available.
• I’m not able to finish it today, but I can send it first thing tomorrow.

This makes your refusal sound more helpful and less negative.

Making Requests in Emails

In emails, requests are usually more polite and indirect than in everyday speech.

Useful phrases:

• Could you please send me the invoice?
• Could you let me know when the documents are ready?
• Would you be able to provide more information?
• I would be grateful if you could send me the details.
• I was wondering if you could confirm the delivery date.
• Would it be possible to arrange a meeting next week?

Examples:

Dear Mr Harris,

I was wondering if you could send me the updated contract when you have a spare moment.

Kind regards,

Emma

Dear Ms Brown,

Would it be possible to arrange a short meeting next week to discuss the project?

Best regards,

James

How to Choose the Right Request Form

Here is a simple guide.

Friends and family	Can you…? / Imperative + please
Everyday polite request	Could you…?
More polite request	Could you possibly…?
Work or professional situation	Would you…? / Would you be able to…?
Very polite request	Would you mind + -ing?
Formal email	I was wondering if you could…
Shops and cafés	I’d like… / Could I have…?
Asking for repetition	Could you repeat that, please?
Asking for permission	Do you mind if I…?

Common Mistakes with Making Requests in English

1. Using the imperative too often

Too direct:

• Send me the report.

Better:

• Could you send me the report, please?

More formal:

• I was wondering if you could send me the report.

2. Using the wrong form after “mind”

Incorrect:

• Would you mind to help me?

Correct:

• Would you mind helping me?

After mind, use the -ing form.

3. Saying “Would you be kind to help me?”

Incorrect:

• Would you be kind to help me?

Correct:

• Would you be kind enough to help me?

4. Confusing requests and permission

Request:

• Would you mind opening the window?

This means: Please open the window.

Permission:

• Do you mind if I open the window?

This means: Is it OK if I open the window?

5. Thinking “please” always makes a sentence polite

Please helps, but the structure matters too.

Too direct:

• Give me your passport, please.

Better:

• Could I have your passport, please?

More polite:

• Would you mind showing me your passport?

Practice Exercise

Final Thoughts on Making Requests in English

Making requests in English is not only about choosing the correct grammar. It is also about sounding polite, natural, and appropriate for the situation.

Use can you…? with people you know well. Use could you…? for polite everyday requests. Use would you mind…?, would it be possible…?, and I was wondering if you could… when you need to sound more careful or formal.

The more request phrases you know, the more confident you will feel in real conversations, work situations, shops, cafés, emails, and Cambridge speaking exams.

In real life — and in English exams — politeness is often the secret ingredient.

Related posts:

Modal Verbs of Request 

10 Ways to use “Could” 

Using ‘Would’ to Be Polite 

Polite Phrases for Emails 

Can/Could/Would for Requests, Offers, Permissions and Invitations

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FAQ 

What is the best way to make requests in English?

One of the best ways to make requests in English is to use could you or would you mind + -ing. These forms are polite and natural in many situations.

Is “can you” polite in English?

Yes, can you is polite enough in many everyday situations, especially with friends, family, and colleagues. For more formal situations, could you is usually better.

What is the difference between “can you” and “could you”?

Can you is more direct, while could you sounds softer and more polite.

How do you make a very polite request in English?

You can use phrases such as I was wondering if you could…, Would it be possible to…?, or Would you be kind enough to…?

What is the correct form after “would you mind”?

After would you mind, use the -ing form:
Would you mind helping me?
Not: Would you mind to help me?