Persuading someone to do something
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 persuade someone to do something? Listen out for useful language for persuading someone to do something. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.
Paul: OK. Yeah, all right. I'll send them over tomorrow. OK, yep, bye. People are always asking for favours. Paul, can you do this? Paul, can you do that?
Noelia: Hey, Paul, have you got a minute?
Paul: Go on, then.
Noelia: I've got a small favour to ask you.
Paul: Right.
Noelia: So … how would you feel about DJing at the office party next week?
Paul: Office party? I don't usually do work parties.
Noelia: Oh, right. So where do you usually DJ then?
Paul: No, I mean I don't usually go to work parties, let alone DJ at them.
Noelia: Come on, I think you'd be brilliant at it!
Paul: Oh, I don't know …
Noelia: Look, I wouldn't usually ask, but you are the only DJ I know.
Paul: I'm not a very good one though. My music taste is … quite strange. Everyone will probably hate it.
Noelia: Come on! These guys will dance to anything when they are at a party! Why don't you give it a go? You'll be great!
Paul: Urgh … I think I'm probably busy that day anyway.
Noelia: Come on! There's nothing to lose!
Paul: Except my reputation and credibility …
Noelia: Paul, you'd really be helping me out.
Paul: OK, I'll think about it.
Noelia: Great! Thanks, Paul!
Ana: Hello again! It's very difficult to say no to Noelia! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for persuading someone to do something? Listen to me and then repeat.
I've got a small favour to ask you.
How would you feel about DJing?
You'd be brilliant at it.
I wouldn't usually ask, but you're the only DJ I know.
Why don't you give it a go?
There's nothing to lose.
You'd really be helping me out.
OK, I'll think about it.
Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to persuade someone to do something in English. Bye for now!
I'm not good at persuading people at all, actually I usually prevent talking to them because I just don't feel comfortable around them.
Yes, especially in my work in marketing. When I try to believe in an idea and trust that a person can perform well, I try to persuade them to take action. For instance, I often encourage people to present in front of the camera or participate in promotional activities.
I'm not good at persuading people to do something especially when they're strong in their stand and don't mind to do any favours
Yes, I think I'm good at it. But I like to persuade people when they are not seeing my vision that benefits the both of us.
More or less. I worked as a fundraiser for NGOs, and at that time I realised how difficult it was to touch people’s hearts.
Working in humanitarian causes might seem easy, but in reality people don’t have time, no matter what.
Your passion when approaching people made the difference between being ignored and being noticed.
It was a challenge for me: how could I get people’s attention and make them act in solidarity in just two minutes?
The way I presented the NGOs was the main reason people stopped, and my passion was the reason they decided to help.
So, I think I can persuade people if I truly believe in what I’m saying.
I don't think I'm very good at persuading people because I tend to have a lot of reasons for doing something,and people usually don't like listening to too many reasons. They generally prefer to hear about the benefits of something, not your personal thoughts.
im not sure about this. if the job is vital to me i can persuade otherwise im not that good in persuading someone to do
I'm really good at persuading people to do something I want them to do. However, only if I'm in a good mood.
No, I don't think I'm good at parsuading people to do things...although my work as a teacher pushes me to improve my empathy and my way of communicating with the children. So, I'm definitely learning to be more persuasive, at least with the school things.