How to Make a Request: 10+ Useful Expressions Used in Requesting

What is a request? How do I make a request? What is a request example?

A request means asking for something or asking someone to do something in a polite or formal way. “Could you help me with these heavy boxes?” is a request example.

Making Request Examples (How to Make a Request)

Requesting help or information can be done in different ways. Below is a list of expressions that you can use to make a request and respond to requests.

How to Request Politely or Formally

We use the expressions and modals below to make formal requests when the relationship between the speaker and the listener is formal. Here are some polite requests examples (making requests examples)

• Could I/we ask you a question?
• Could you speak a bit louder?
• Could you help me with this difficult Maths exercise?
• Could you lend me some money until tomorrow?
• Could you possibly send me some money? I’m broke.
• I wonder if you could give me a ride to school.
• I wonder if you could help me?
• I wonder if I could have a cup of coffee.
• Would you close the door, please?
• Do you think you could help me do this assignment?
• Would you mind helping me with this heavy bag? 
• Would you mind helping me with my homework?
• Would you mind if I opened the window? It’s hot in here. 
• I would be grateful if you could do me a favor? (polite request in written English)

Modal verb(could, would…) + infinitive without ‘to’

Would you mind + verb + ing

Would you mind if I + past simple. (used to request permission)

Informal Request Examples (how to make a request in an informal way)

• Can you open the window, please?
• Will you help me do this exercise, please?

Requesting Silence Informally

How to Respond to Requests

• Certainly
• Certainly not
• Sure
• Yes, of course
• Sorry I can’t
• I’ll see what I can do
• I’m afraid I can’t
• No, not at all
• Actually, I’d like to keep it closed

Polite Requests Exercises / Making Requests Exercises

Exercise 1: Circle the correct option in these requests.

1. Could you pass/passing the salt, Please?
2. Can / would you mind coming here for a minute?
3. ‘Can you / I sit here?’ ‘Sure, go ahead.’
4. Would you be/to be quiet, please?
5. Would you mind if I move/moved these books aside?
6. ‘Can I/you speak more slowly, please?’ ‘Yes, of course’
7. Would you mind answer / answering some questions?

Exercise 2: Complete the polite requests. Use the word in brackets. Use no more than three words. (make a request)

1. I want to come with you! (can)
   – …………………………………….with you?
2. Help us with these boxes!
   – ……………………………………us with these boxes, please? (could)
3. I want to see your passport!
   – ……………………………………..your passport, please? (could)
4. Say that again, please.
   – Would…………………………….that again? (mind).
5. Get me some water!
    – ………………………. me some water, please? (would)
6. We want to see the party’s photos.
   – …………………………….the party’s photos, please? (could)
7. I want to use your pen. (use)
   – Would you mind …………………………your pen?

Polite Requests Exercises with Answers

Request exercise 1 answers

1. Could you pass the salt, please?

2. Would you mind coming here for a minute?

3. Can I sit here?

4. Would you be quiet, please?

5. Would you mind if I moved these books aside?

6. ‘Can you speak more slowly, please?’ ‘Yes, of course’

7. Would you mind answering some questions?

Key of Request Exercise 2

1. Can I come with you?
2. Could you help us with these boxes, please?
3. Could I see your passport, please?
4. Would you mind saying that again?
5.  Would you get me some water, please?
6. Could we see the party’s photos, please?
7. Would you mind if I used your pen?