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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Submitted by rhoda16 on Thu, 20/07/2023 - 03:27

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As far I remembered, the last time I disagreed is when the mother of my live-in partner offered me a job for her small food business It was a great offer to be honest since right now I'm still jobless. But I was thinking of a better opportunity ahead of me that is in line with what I have graduated. If I will be good at my English and confident, I'm sure there are a lot of good opportunities waiting for me. I'm looking forward to it.

Submitted by masuma_320 on Tue, 13/06/2023 - 07:16

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Every day I do a favor at home for my family. I wash a plate and prepare dinner.

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Submitted by Superjet0597 on Sun, 28/05/2023 - 21:47

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The last time I had helped someone asking me a favour was about a last week, my mom needs me to give to Sammy our dog a bath because we regularly send her to a dog's spa but it was closed at that hours and Sammy was completely a mess.

Submitted by Awa9102000 on Wed, 19/04/2023 - 06:01

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Hello everyone, the last time I did someone a favour was last thursday. We decided to escape a work day for important files to make up, my coworker and I. At last, he betrayed me and asked me to make his file up with mine because he was feeling too guilty to get off the work. I did it but with a lot of unexpected troubles.

Submitted by I.es91 on Fri, 07/04/2023 - 22:13

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I'm part of Scientific Forum on my university I did a Favor for them by sending the announcement message across every social media accounts that I have so I reached 1660 messages in total so, I think this is a huge favor that I done for today.

Submitted by loanphuong on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 04:58

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The last time I did a favor was a few days ago, for my colleague. She has been my best co-work. She and I had worked together for nearly 2 years. We supported each other a lot.

She had quitted the job at the end of this February, so I helped her with the work arrangement and handing over work to another person.

In detail, she asked me to help her count the company’s magazine. Because of numerous magazines. So I agreed.

Another thing, I guide her on how to write paperwork to conduct handing over work for the next person.

Submitted by bream on Wed, 15/02/2023 - 14:11

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The last time when I did a favor it was few months ago. I sold a car my friend but in general I wanted to announce it on special auto sales web site. He realized that my car was in a very good condition. Finally I agreed and sold it but the price was a bit lower

Submitted by megdad hassan on Fri, 20/01/2023 - 16:40

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Actually, today I took my aunt to her home by our car in this afternoon.

Submitted by Ridho Rachman on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 04:33

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My wife asked a favour last night. She said sorry because she wanted to go with father. So I asked her what could i helped with. she said "would you be able to clean up the magic jar". It was not a big thing because i was not doing anything.