Asking a favour
Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.
Preparation
Transcript
Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!
Do you know what to say when you want to ask a favour? Listen out for useful language for asking a favour. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.
Noelia: Paul, have you got a minute? I need a favour.
Paul: I'm a bit busy, but sure, what can I help you with?
Noelia: So, you know the branding job for Active Arctic?
Paul: Of course. It was so good to finally finish that project. It went on and on and on …
Noelia: Yeah, so … look, I'm really sorry about this, but they want some more changes made.
Paul: Seriously? I've already rewritten that copy, I don't know, like, 20 times?
Noelia: I know. I'm so sorry. Would you be able to work on it this afternoon?
Paul: Well, I'm not really sure if I can, Noelia. I'm finishing the Moosh Monkey social media campaign and they're expecting it by the end of the day.
Noelia: I'd forgotten about that. Is there any chance you could work late tonight?
Paul: Sorry, Noelia. I would if I could, but I can't.
Noelia: Please?
Paul: I'm taking my niece to the cinema for her birthday. It's been planned for ages.
Noelia: OK. Well, then could you come in early tomorrow? I'll make it up to you!
Paul: OK. How?
Noelia: Name your price.
Paul: An extra day's holiday?
Noelia: Can you get in for 5 a.m.?
Paul: 7 a.m.
Noelia: 6 a.m.
Paul: Deal.
Noelia: Deal.
Ana: Hello again! Looks like that's an early start for Paul tomorrow, then! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for asking a favour? Listen to me and then repeat.
Have you got a minute?
I need a favour.
What can I help you with?
I'm really sorry about this, but they want some changes.
Would you be able to work this afternoon?
I'm not really sure if I can.
Is there any chance you could work late?
I would if I could, but I can't.
Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to ask a favour in English. Bye for now!
I think last week I have a favour
Last week my colleague asked me a favor, she asked me if I could do some paper work for her because she was sick, she told me that she would do it by herself if she could, but she couldn't. so she was wondering if there is any chance that I could do it for her. I told her I'll help her with it but she needs to repay this favor someday, she agreed to that, and we had a good deal!
One month ago, I applied to attend internal project and I want to know progress, so I asked to my colleague how to progress my application, and he notified me.
The last person I did a favour to is an ex-college. She had to fill some administrative procedure, she had a good decision urgently, but she had no person to refer to except me. However, I was travelling, my train was about to go, and I had to mail her important tips to solve her issue. I was afraid I could miss the train, but the friendship with my college was more important. Fortunately, I send the mail and I did not miss the train. My friend told me she was so grateful, but I think I was the happiest one.
Yesterday, my mom needed a favour to wash the dishes after lunch and I said ok, no problem with that
when I was studying my friend asked me to do him a favour , I told him they are no favourites between us, if you need something, I will do it immediately, you don't even need to ask .
Recently, I did a favour for my workmate. She asked me to help her with some accounting for her small business.
I normally try not to ask for favours unless I really need them. If I do have to ask for a favour, its very important for me to measure the size of it, so that I wouldn´t put the other person into difficult position. It´s also essential that I could accept a refusal without getting dissapointed; or in the other hand, It´s imperative to give due thanks for the help received.