Making Suggestion and Requesting Something

There are a number of ways used when making suggestions :

1)            WHAT ABOUT/HOW ABOUT ... + Base form + -ING

          • What about going to the swimming pool tomorrow?

          •  How about going to the swimming pool tomorrow?

2)            WHY + Negative

          •  Why don't we go to the swimming pool tomorrow?

3)    IMPERATIVE: Let's + Base form

          • Let's go to the swimming pool tomorrow! 

4)            COULD

          • We could go to the swimming pool tomorrow.

5)            DO YOU WANT + the infinitive

•       Do you want to go to the swimming pool tomorrow?

Making a Suggestion	Responding
•          I suggest that … •          I would suggest that … •          My suggestion is … •          What about … •          Perhaps we should … •          We’d better/ we must … •          A possible solution  to your problem is …	•          That’s a good idea •          It’s a good suggestion, thanks. •          You are right. •          Yes, let’s do it •          I think so •          Yes, you’re right. •          That’s what is in my mind

   

Requesting Something is what we say when we want to ask someone to do something for us 

ASK SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOU

Requesting

•          Would you mind …, please?

•          Can/Could you …?

•          Will/Would you …?

•          Please …

Accepting Requests

•          Sure, I’d be glad/happy to …

•          Of course/Certainly.

•          No problem.

•          Sure. Just a moment.

Refusing Requests

•          I’d loved to, but …

•          It sounds great, but …

•          I’m/sorry, but …

•          Sorry to say that …

Example making polite request :

•          Could you open the window for me, please?

•          Would you mind closing the door for us, please?"

•          Can you close the door for me, please?

•          Could you possibly show me the way to the post office, please?

•          Would you help me with this exercise, please?

The responses for that polite request can be

•          Sure.

•          Certainly.

•          Why not

•          With a pleasure.

•          I'd be glad to.

•          I am afraid I can't.

•          I am sorry I can't. 

The pattern

•          Would you mind is followed by the verb and -ing.

ASKING IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING

Asking polite permission to do something

•          "Can I use your phone, please?"

•          "Could I borrow some money from you, please?"

•          "Do you mind if I turn on television?"

•          "Would you mind if I turned off the lamp?"

The responses can be

•          No. I don't mind

•          Not at all

•          No, of course not

•          No, that would be fine

•          I am afraid, yes

•          Yes, I do mind

The pattern

•          Could is more polite than can.

•          Do you mind if…" is followed by the verb in the present tense.

•          would you mind if… is followed by the verb in the past tense.