PoliteRequests
Could you…? / Would you mind…?
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
Think of a favour you asked someone this week. How did you phrase it?
Discuss: is it rude to say 'Give me a pen' instead of 'Could I have a pen?'
In pairs, take turns making a request; your partner must accept or politely refuse.
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minPolite requests: Could you…? / Would you mind…?
We use COULD YOU + base verb to make a polite request ('Could you open the window?').
→ Could you pass the salt, please?
→ Would you mind waiting a moment?
→ Could you possibly send me the file?
→ Would you mind if I opened the window?
More detail
WOULD YOU MIND + verb-ING is even more indirect and softer, and is often used with people we don't know well or for slightly bigger favours ('Would you mind closing the door?'). Note: after 'Would you mind', we always use -ing, never the infinitive. To answer 'yes' to 'Would you mind...?' we actually say 'No, not at all' or 'No problem' — because you are agreeing that it wouldn't bother you.
| Form | Politeness level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can you…? | informal | Can you help me with this? |
| Could you…? | standard polite | Could you help me with this? |
| Would you mind + -ing? | very polite / formal | Would you mind helping me with this? |
| Would you mind if I…? | asking permission politely | Would you mind if I sat here? |
Common mistake
Don't say 'Would you mind to close the door' — it must be 'Would you mind closing the door'.
Natural English
Saying 'yes' to accept a 'Would you mind…?' request sounds odd — natives reply 'No, not at all' or 'Sure, no problem'.
Question 1.____ you pass me that book, please?
Question 2.Would you mind ____ the window?
Question 3.Would you mind if I ____ the music down?
Question 4."Would you mind waiting?" "____, I don't mind at all."
Question 5.____ you possibly lend me a pen?
Question 6.Would you mind ____ me a hand with this box?
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
to mind
to be bothered by something
"I don't mind waiting."
What kinds of things do you mind doing?
a favour
a helpful act done for someone
"Can I ask you a favour?"
Ask your partner a favour right now.
diplomatic
tactful, careful not to offend
"She gave a diplomatic answer."
When is it useful to be diplomatic?
to impose
to put someone in an inconvenient position
"I don't want to impose on you."
Have you ever felt you were imposing on someone?
reluctant
unwilling, hesitant
"He was reluctant to help at first."
Name something you're reluctant to do.
to be obliged
grateful, or forced to do something
"I'd be much obliged if you could help."
Use 'I'd be much obliged' in a polite sentence.
Discuss with a partner
- →Do you ever feel you're imposing when you ask for help?
- →Is it easy for you to be diplomatic when you disagree with someone?
Finish the sentence about you
- I'd be much obliged if… …
- I don't want to impose, but… …
- I'm a bit reluctant to… …
60-second write
Write two polite requests you could genuinely use this week.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minRising intonation on polite requests
- • Could you help me? ↗
- • Would you mind waiting? ↗
- • Could you possibly open the door? ↗
- • Would you mind if I sat here? ↗
How to say it
Polite requests with 'Could you…?' and 'Would you mind…?' usually end with rising intonation, which sounds friendlier and less demanding. A falling tone can sound like an order rather than a request.
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minThe art of asking nicely
In many workplaces, how you ask for something matters as much as what you ask for. A blunt 'Send me the report' can sound like an order, while 'Could you send me the report when you get a chance?' feels like a request between equals. Researchers who study workplace communication say that softer language, such as 'Would you mind…?' or 'Could you possibly…?', doesn't make a speaker seem weak — instead, it signals respect for the other person's time. Of course, context matters: with close friends, 'Can you grab me a coffee?' is perfectly fine, but with a new colleague or a stranger, a more cautious 'Would you mind grabbing me a coffee while you're up?' avoids sounding presumptuous. Interestingly, people who overuse extremely formal requests can come across as distant or even sarcastic, so the goal isn't maximum politeness, but the right level for the relationship. Learning to judge that level — and to accept or refuse requests gracefully in return — is one of the most useful social skills in English.
Read carefully, then answer the detail questions. Underline the words in the text that gave you each answer.
Question 1.According to the text, why do researchers value softer request language?
Question 2.What example is given for asking a close friend?
Question 3.What can happen if requests are overly formal?
Q1.The text says the exact words of a request never matter.
Q2.Softer requests can signal respect for someone's time.
Q3.Overly formal requests can sound sarcastic.
Q4.The text says you should always use the most formal request possible.
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minAsking for help at the office
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Priya:Could you help me carry these boxes to the meeting room?
Sam:Sure, no problem. Where do you want them?
Priya:Just by the door is fine, thanks. Also, would you mind sending the agenda to the team?
Sam:Not at all, I'll do it right after this.
Priya:Would you mind if I borrowed your laptop charger for an hour?
Sam:Go ahead, I've got a spare one anyway.
Priya:You're a lifesaver. Thanks so much.
Listen once for the whole picture, then again for the details before you answer.
Question 1.What does Priya first ask Sam to do?
Question 2.What does Sam say about the agenda?
Question 3.What does Priya want to borrow?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Speaking Part 3/4 (functional language)
Task
Make and respond to polite requests in a role-play situation.
Strategy
Vary your request forms rather than repeating 'Could you…?' every time — mix in 'Would you mind…?' and 'Would it be possible to…?'. When responding, always confirm clearly (accept or politely decline with a reason) rather than giving a vague answer, as examiners reward natural, complete exchanges.
Example
'Would you mind giving me some feedback on my presentation? I'd really appreciate it.' — 'Not at all, I'd be happy to. Could you send it to me by email?'
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.____ you mind turning the TV down a bit?
Question 2.Could you ____ me with my suitcase?
Question 3.Would you mind ____ me a favour?
Question 4."Would you mind if I left early?" "____, go ahead."
Question 5.____ you possibly lower your voice?
Q1.Make a polite request using 'Could you…?':
Q2.Make a very polite request using 'Would you mind…?':
Q3.Politely accept a 'Would you mind…?' request:
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Write your own version first, then open the model and compare — what would you change?
Your task
Write a short email (80-100 words) to a colleague asking for two favours, using at least one 'Could you…?' and one 'Would you mind…?' request.
Compare with the model
Hi Tom, I hope you're well. Could you send me the sales figures from last month when you have a moment? I need them for tomorrow's meeting. Also, would you mind checking whether the client has replied to our proposal yet? I haven't heard anything and I'd like to follow up before Friday if not. No rush on either — just whenever you get a chance. Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it. Best wishes, Laura
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
FAVOUR CHAIN · Groups of three. Each student makes a request to the next person, who must accept or politely refuse and give a reason, then makes their own request to the next person. Use at least four different request forms in total.
Useful phrases
- • Could you possibly…?
- • Would you mind…?
- • I'm sorry, but I can't right now because…
- • Sure, no problem.
- • Not at all, go ahead.
Role-play & swap
Role-play the scenario once. Then swap roles and change two details so the second run is not a repeat.
- AWould you mind lending me your notes from yesterday?
- B_______________
- ACould you possibly turn the heating up a little?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
This lesson targets the mismatch B1 students often make between register (formality) and social context — pushing them beyond a single default request form. ~33 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Write five polite requests you could make to a boss, a stranger and a close friend, adjusting the politeness level.
Record yourself making three requests with rising intonation and listen back.
Notice and note down three polite requests you hear in English media this week.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Could you…? is the standard polite request form.
- Would you mind + -ing is more indirect and formal.
- After 'Would you mind', we always use the -ing form.
- We accept a 'Would you mind…?' request with 'No, not at all' or 'No problem'.
- Polite requests usually end with rising intonation.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 29 again.
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