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!
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.
It's about one month ago. My friend was stressed while working with the government. I was spending time with her for listening and understanding, then I also created the connection between her and my other friend who had experience in working with the government to give her practical advice
Last week, I did a favour for my friend. She had a problem with her presentation for work and asked for help. I helped her organise her ideas and improve her slides. She was very happy and said thank you many times. It felt good to help someone and see her smile.
Please tell me why Noelia was saying, she had too much facial expression on her face. In my opinion, it was unnecessary.
Hello phuongquyen0110,
She does have quite exaggerated expressions, doesn't she? It's not typical to show quite as much as this but different people act differently and in a situation where a person feels a little uncomfortable or where they are asking for something difficult or unusual they may exaggerate their expression and/or intonation as a way of signalling that they know they are asking a lot. Don't worry, though, these are very much individual choices and you don't need to try to copy them. Just be yourself and be authentic - this creates a much better impression than trying to mimic someone else.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Teama
I bought a dryer hear for my friend, because she ask me to buy it for her.