Asking a favour

In this video, Noelia asks Paul for some help. Listen to the language Noelia uses to ask a favour 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 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!

Discussion

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Average: 4.5 (45 votes)
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Submitted by Rafaela1 on Tue, 30/03/2021 - 13:19

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Well..... Maybe every day. ;)

Submitted by MikhailZatopliaev on Mon, 29/03/2021 - 23:48

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I don't remember when I did, though I remember when someone did. It was yesterday, I was at cafe, and terminal for pay is broken, and I had't cash. I call to my friend, and ask a favour. I said "Hi Vova, can you help me, I have problem, plz send money to that number, I will send you back in 1 minutes."
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Submitted by sajjad ghassemi on Mon, 15/03/2021 - 11:18

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I did a favour to my friend and it was about leaning English because he was a beginner student at English

Submitted by Nalim24 on Thu, 11/03/2021 - 10:15

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I often do a favour, for example when I help my father with his work, or when I cut the grass of my grandma

Submitted by PARIMALA MADIAZHAKAN on Tue, 09/03/2021 - 03:26

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Yes, last time I had a favor with my friends. I ask my friends to take participate the competition held by me. They also took participate the competition held by me.

Submitted by Ari on Mon, 08/03/2021 - 16:16

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In fact, I do favors very often, I don't even notice it. For example, helping classmates with homework. Perhaps a lot of people think this is something bad or wrong on my part, and maybe they are right. But I like helping people. Actually, I don’t give them my notebook and I don’t say: "Take and copy it!" I try to explain it to them in an accessible way, although many people condemn it for it.

Submitted by Abrarhussain on Wed, 03/03/2021 - 00:14

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The last time I did a favour for my friend, was in January 2021. As we both wanted to purchase a new model television, we could save on delivery charges if we ordered them together. I did him a favour by ordering them from Amazon account to save us both money.
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Submitted by George Galliera on Tue, 02/03/2021 - 14:03

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I'd forgotten about that. lol

Submitted by Saad786 on Sun, 28/02/2021 - 13:15

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I gave a favour to my friend last time. He was making the model of Taj Mahal and I made it earlier 2 months . He was feelings difficulty in setting up the pillars of Taj Mahal so, I helped him.

Submitted by Antoni Luna on Thu, 25/02/2021 - 18:37

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Actually, I usually help my teammates with their assignments, there's always something they don't understand.