Persuading someone to do something

In this video, Noelia tries to convince Paul to DJ at the office party. Listen to the language Noelia uses for persuading Paul to do something and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!

Do you know what to say when you want to persuade someone to do something? Listen out for useful language for persuading someone to do something. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Paul: OK. Yeah, all right. I'll send them over tomorrow. OK, yep, bye. People are always asking for favours. Paul, can you do this? Paul, can you do that? 

Noelia: Hey, Paul, have you got a minute?

Paul: Go on, then.

Noelia: I've got a small favour to ask you. 

Paul: Right.

Noelia: So … how would you feel about DJing at the office party next week? 

Paul: Office party? I don't usually do work parties. 

Noelia: Oh, right. So where do you usually DJ then? 

Paul: No, I mean I don't usually go to work parties, let alone DJ at them. 

Noelia: Come on, I think you'd be brilliant at it! 

Paul: Oh, I don't know … 

Noelia: Look, I wouldn't usually ask, but you are the only DJ I know.

Paul: I'm not a very good one though. My music taste is … quite strange. Everyone will probably hate it. 

Noelia: Come on! These guys will dance to anything when they are at a party! Why don't you give it a go? You'll be great!

Paul: Urgh … I think I'm probably busy that day anyway.

Noelia: Come on! There's nothing to lose!

Paul: Except my reputation and credibility …  

Noelia: Paul, you'd really be helping me out. 

Paul: OK, I'll think about it. 

Noelia: Great! Thanks, Paul! 

 

Ana: Hello again! It's very difficult to say no to Noelia! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for persuading someone to do something? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

I've got a small favour to ask you.

How would you feel about DJing?

You'd be brilliant at it.

I wouldn't usually ask, but you're the only DJ I know. 

Why don't you give it a go?

There's nothing to lose.

You'd really be helping me out.

OK, I'll think about it. 



Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to persuade someone to do something in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Average: 4.8 (21 votes)
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Submitted by Toan3002 on Sat, 30/12/2023 - 08:27

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I am not good at persuading someone to do something.

Submitted by I.es91 on Thu, 27/04/2023 - 13:16

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When I know someone very well and I know he will be good at something I will do my best to persuading him to do this thing. I can show him the advantage of the job and explain his strength points and how he can use it well. At the end I'm sure he will be confident and say ok.

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Submitted by vanenglish on Wed, 19/04/2023 - 17:30

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Mmmm, I think that it depends who I want to persuade. I don't want to be a annoying person who always make people do what I want.

By the way, poor Paul, he must learn to say "no". Also I perceive Noelia was getting a bit angry at the end (see her face), and that was the reason Paul said "yes" finally. This is muy opinion, I could be wrong or not. ;)

This is the last video for practise speaking, thank you to Learn English and the actors. I enjoyed each episode, if you can, please, make more videos like this. Good luck to everyone here, I hope we could improve more and more our speaking.

Submitted by Sanja on Mon, 13/02/2023 - 08:04

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Sometimes I am good at persuading people, sometimes I'm not. It depends of whom I want to persuade and what I want him to do. Actually, I have difficulties at persuading and motivating myself to give it a go and try something new and different.

Submitted by Future_Nibras on Tue, 06/12/2022 - 11:07

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Wow! She's brilliant at persuading people.

Submitted by farhadwahaj on Thu, 20/10/2022 - 09:23

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Indeed, I am not well enough to persuade others. I am a straightforward and direct person. I do not know much to convince someone. However, it is a great talent to persuade others about something that needs to be done.

Submitted by Kyi Kyi Naing on Thu, 18/08/2022 - 18:08

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I am not a good speaker and not good at persuading people. I am the one who doesn't like to ask help from other people and often hesitate to ask favour from others. That's why I cannot think of sweet words to persuade people. Instead of persuading people to help me, I would rather try and solve problems myself. In this way, I feel more comfortable and secure.

Submitted by Nandar Su Hlaing on Tue, 16/08/2022 - 16:21

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No, I am not good at persuading People to do something, but I like to give advice what they should do.

Submitted by Alejandra SP on Fri, 22/07/2022 - 06:12

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I'm not good at persuading someone to do something. I've been trying for three months to convince my mom to let me go to a concert and her answer is always "no". The worst thing is that the concert will be on this weekend.

Submitted by meknini on Sat, 16/07/2022 - 15:16

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Sad, I am quite bad at it. I'm the type that would gladly accept any decision made by anyone and believe that the person is mature enough to make up their own mind thus I should respect his decision and leave him alone. Guess, I'll make a very poor sales person.