It's common to ask for things using yes / no polite phrases with 'Could you ...' and verbs such as 'lend', 'hand' and 'give'. Do not begin a sentence with 'please', but you can add 'please' at then end of the sentence to be polite.
NOT Please give me a pen
Correct: Could you give me a pen, please?
Example Dialogues
Person 1: Could you hand me that magazine?
Person 2: Certainly, here it is.
Person 1: Could you lend me a few dollars for lunch, please?
Person 2: I'd be happy to do that. How much do you need?
You can also ask for things using 'Could I ...' with verbs such as 'borrow', 'have', and 'use'.
Example Dialogues
Person 1: Could I borrow your pen, please?
Person 2: Certainly, here you are.
Person 1: Could I use that book?
Person 2: The red one, or the blue one?
Person 1: The blue one. Thank you.
It's also possible to ask for things more politely by using an indirect question. Indirect questions begin with phrase such as 'Do you think ...', 'I wonder ...', 'Would it be alright if ...', etc.
Example Dialogues
Person 1: Would you mind loaning me your pen?
Person 2: Certainly, here you are.
Person 1: I wonder if you could help me with this problem?
Person 2: I'd be happy to do that. What seems to be the problem?
(esl.about.com)
NOT Please give me a pen
Correct: Could you give me a pen, please?
Example Dialogues
Person 1: Could you hand me that magazine?
Person 2: Certainly, here it is.
Person 1: Could you lend me a few dollars for lunch, please?
Person 2: I'd be happy to do that. How much do you need?
You can also ask for things using 'Could I ...' with verbs such as 'borrow', 'have', and 'use'.
Example Dialogues
Person 1: Could I borrow your pen, please?
Person 2: Certainly, here you are.
Person 1: Could I use that book?
Person 2: The red one, or the blue one?
Person 1: The blue one. Thank you.
It's also possible to ask for things more politely by using an indirect question. Indirect questions begin with phrase such as 'Do you think ...', 'I wonder ...', 'Would it be alright if ...', etc.
Example Dialogues
Person 1: Would you mind loaning me your pen?
Person 2: Certainly, here you are.
Person 1: I wonder if you could help me with this problem?
Person 2: I'd be happy to do that. What seems to be the problem?
(esl.about.com)
February 10, 2011 at 12:20 AM
mantabs gan
bisa donk d ajari
hehe