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!
Usually, in the creative hub, that happened, one time my manager asked me for a favour to work on something for a new client, so after dealing with that, I made a favour for it.
Earlier, I asked my son to help me with the grocery shopping.
Hello everyone,
I particularly like this course. The expression : "I would if I could" amazed me!
Thanks, British online course.
Hello kudayannic,
Thank you for your comment. I'm glad to hear our site is helping you!
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Yes, yesterday I did a favor for my friend in our class.
Last week, One of my colleagues asked me a favor. He wanted me to do more tests on his projet. I declined his request because he had a lot of free-time.
Sure, that was yesterday. I had given some help to my collegue about statistical analysis for his thesis. It's weird, but i liked that.
I would say this morning. I've helped one of my friends to make a canva for a concert pass.
The last time I did someone a favour was last week. I helped my friend with his project
It was last Monday, I sacrificed the whole day to help my sister make a video related to a project at her work.