Making Requests

Do you think you could … ?

This page lists useful expressions for the language function of making a request for something or some action from other people.

Elementary

  1. ...borrow... (from you)
  2. ...lend me...
  3. Can I...?
  4. Can you...?
  5. Could I possibly...?
  6. Could I...?
  7. Could you possibly...?
  8. Could you...?
  9. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
  10. I need (to)... Can you help?
  11. I'd be (very) grateful if you could...
  12. May I...?

Pre-intermediate

  1. ...would really help (me).
  2. ..., if it's not too much trouble.
  3. Are you good at? ...
  4. Can I request...?
  5. Do you have a/an...that you could lend me?
  6. Have you got a/an/any...that I could borrow?
  7. Have you got time to...?
  8. I don't think I can do...on my own.
  9. I heard that you are good at.../know about...
  10. I need your/some help with...
  11. I'd like to request...
  12. Thanks in advance for...
  13. You can..., can't you? Well,...

Intermediate

  1. ...and I'll do the same for you some day.
  2. ...said you were the best person to ask for/about...
  3. ...if it's not too much trouble.
  4. ...lend me a hand (with...)
  5. ...suggested I ask for your help with...
  6. Can/Could I ask you to...?
  7. Could I/you by any chance...?
  8. Do you think you could...?
  9. I heard that you are an expert on...
  10. If you could..., I'd/I'll...
  11. If you're not too busy,...
  12. If..., that would be a great help.
  13. Would it be possible for you to...?
  14. Would you mind ...ing (...)?
  15. You're good at..., aren't you?

Upper-intermediate

  1. ..., will you?
  2. Any assistance you could give me in this matter would be gratefully accepted./Any help at all (with...) would be (very) much appreciated.
  3. Are you any good at...?
  4. Can I leave it to you/hand all this over to you/leave it in your hands (then)?
  5. Help me (to)..., will you?
  6. I could use some help, actually. ...
  7. I have a request (for you). ...
  8. I have a/another favour to ask you. ...
  9. I heard that you are good at/know about...
  10. I was hoping you could...(for me).
  11. I'd like to officially request...
  12. If you want to help, you could...
  13. Let me..., will you?
  14. You don't have a/any..., do you?
  15. You know you said you would...? / You remember I helped you with...? / You remember when I asked for your help and you said "Anytime"? / You know the problem/issue/project/deadline I was telling you about? / You know I told you I might need your help sometime? Well, (it just so happens)...

Advanced

  1. A little bird told me you know all about...
  2. About that favour you owe me,...
  3. Do me/us a favour, will you? ...
  4. Here's your chance to repay me for...
  5. I could do with some help (actually). ...
  6. I don't suppose you know.../you have.../you could..., do/have/could you?
  7. I need to call in a/that favour.
  8. I was hoping you'd be here. ...
  9. Is...asking too much?
  10. Just the man/woman I wanted to see! ...
  11. There's something (I think) you can help me with. ...
  12. This is a bit cheeky, I know, but...
  13. This might be a good time for you to...
  14. This needs a woman's touch. / This is a woman's job. / This job needs a man. / You've got little fingers. / You're tall. / You're strong. ...
  15. You don't mind ...ing (...) (for me), do you?