The common expressions of request are listed below: 1. Could you help me please?
2. Can I help you?
3. Can you please lend me your pen?
4. Can you do me a favour?
5. Do you mind helping please?
6. Will / Would you please help me?
7. I’m sorry to trouble you, but I need your help.
8. If you don’t mind, please help me?
The first four are informal, used when you talk with your friends and equals. The rest are rather formal and polite, used when you talk with superiors. Some samples are given below: Model 1: In a Hotel Keerthi : Can you please serve some more rice?
Server : Yes, Madam. Anything else?
Keerthi : Yes. Please get me a plate of mutton curry in a parcel.
Server : Okay, ma’am.
Model 2: In the classroom Shiva : Could you please lend me a pen? Mine doesn’t write.
Raj : Sorry, I have only one pen with me.
Shiva : Do you have a pencil?
Raj : Sorry, I don’t have a pencil either.
2.5. ACCEPTING / DECLINING AN INVITATION
The following are the expressions commonly used for inviting: 1. I would like to invite you for my birthday party.
2. Won’t you please accept my invitation for housewarming ceremony. 3. We are pleased to invite you for my wedding.
4. We are delighted if you attend the party.
5. Please accept our invitation for family get-together.
An invitation has to be graciously accepted or declined. i) Accepting an invitation: 1. With pleasure.
2. Okay / All right.
3. Thank you. I would be happy to.
4. That’s nice idea. Thank you.
5. We would be delighted to.
6. We would love to. Thank you.
ii) Declining an invitation: 1. No, thank you.
2. Thank you very much, but I have some important work.
3. I am sorry. I can’t.
4. I wish I could, but I can’t.
5. I regret (feel sorry) that I’m unable to accept your invitation.
6. Unfortunately I’m not free. But, thank you very much for your invitation.
