1. self-introduction

The common expressions of request are listed below:

1. Could you help me please?

2. Can I help you?

3. Can you please lend me your pen?

4. Can you do me a favour?

5. Do you mind helping please?

6. Will / Would you please help me?

7. I’m sorry to trouble you, but I need your help.

8. If you don’t mind, please help me?

The first four are informal, used when you talk with your friends and equals. The rest are rather formal and polite, used when you talk with superiors.

Some samples are given below:

Model 1: In a Hotel

Keerthi : Can you please serve some more rice?

Server : Yes, Madam. Anything else?

Keerthi : Yes. Please get me a plate of mutton curry in a parcel.

Server : Okay, ma’am.

Model 2: In the classroom

Shiva : Could you please lend me a pen? Mine doesn’t write.

Raj : Sorry, I have only one pen with me.

Shiva : Do you have a pencil?

Raj : Sorry, I don’t have a pencil either.

2.5. ACCEPTING / DECLINING AN INVITATION