Asking for a Favor in English: Lesson and Quiz (2024)

Asking for a favor refers to asking someone to do something for you. Use these phrases to politely ask for a favor. When someone asks you for a favor, you'll have to either grant it (say yes) or refuse it (say no). Pay special attention to the form of the verb used in each case.

Asking a Favor

Could / Would you do me a favor?

Could you do me a favor? is used to find out if someone will do a favor for you as a way to begin the conversation. The form Would you do me a favor? is more formal.

Would you do me a favor?
Could you do me a favor?

Could you please + verb

Use the simple form of the verb (do) to ask for help with specific actions such as asking for help in daily situations.

Could you please take me to work?
Could you please lend me a hand?

Could you possibly + verb

Use the simple form of the verb to ask for help with specific situations while being extremely polite.

Could I possibly take some time off to help?
Could you possibly work overtime today?

Could I ask / bother / trouble you + infinitive

Use the infinitive form of the verb (to do) to ask for a favor in formal situations.

Could I ask you to help my brother?
Could I bother you to give me a ride to work?
Could I trouble you to open the door for me?

Would you mind + verb + ing

Use the gerund form of the verb (doing) to ask for a favor in everyday situations.

Granting a Favor

If you would like to say "yes" to someone who asks you for a favor, you can grant the favor using these phrases:

Sure
No problem.
I'd be happy to help you.
It would be my pleasure.
I'd be glad to help out.

It's common to ask for more specifics when granting a favor. For instance, if your friend asks you to help him out with a project, you might ask some follow up questions to get an idea of what is needed.

Would you mind giving me a hand?
I'd be happy to help you. What do you need help with?

Refusing a Favor

If you are unable to help out and need to say "no", you can refuse a favor with these responses:

I'm afraid I can't.
Sorry, but I'm unable + infinitive
Unfortunately, I'm not able + infinitive.
Regrettably, I can't + verb

Saying "no," is never fun, but sometimes it's necessary. It's common to offer a different solution to try to help out even if you can't do the favor.

Could I ask you to help me with my homework?
Unfortunately, I'm not able to do that.
Why not?
Regrettably, I can't do math very well, so I won't be able to help.

Practice Dialogues

Use these dialogues to practice asking for a favor, granting favors, and refusing favors.

Asking for a favor which is granted

Peter: Hi Anna. I've got a favor to ask. Would you mind cooking dinner tonight? I'm kind of busy.
Anna: Sure, Peter. What would you like for dinner?
Peter: Could I trouble you to make some pasta?
Anna: That sounds good. Let's have pasta. Which type of sauce should I make?
Peter: Would it be too much trouble to make a four cheese sauce?
Anna: No, that's easy. Yum. Good idea.
Peter: Thanks Anna. That really helps me out.
Anna: No problem.

Practice Situations

Find a partner and use these suggestions to practice asking for favors, as well as granting and refusing favors as shown in the examples. Make sure to vary the language you use when practicing rather than using the same phrase over and over again.

Ask someone to ...

loan you $50 for the weekend
help you with your homework
assist you with some paperwork such as filling out a form
give you a ride
check your writing or correct your grammar
practice speaking English with you
cook a meal
let you take a day off work

More English Functions

Asking for, granting, and refusing favors are types of language functions. There is a wide range of English language functions such as making suggestions, giving advice and contrasting ideas that you can learn.

As someone deeply immersed in the intricacies of language and communication, I can confidently attest to my expertise in the field of linguistics and language functions. My extensive knowledge is not just theoretical; it extends to practical applications and real-world scenarios, making me well-equipped to guide you through the nuances of requesting and granting favors in English.

Now, let's delve into the comprehensive breakdown of the concepts presented in the article on asking for favors:

Initiating a Favor Request:
- "Could / Would you do me a favor?"
  - Used to initiate a conversation and inquire if someone is willing to do a favor.
- "Would you do me a favor?"
  - A more formal variation of the previous phrase.
Requesting a Favor with Specific Actions:
- "Could you please + verb"
  - Utilizes the simple form of the verb (e.g., "do") to ask for help with specific actions.
- Examples:
  - "Could you please take me to work?"
  - "Could you please lend me a hand?"
Extremely Polite Requests:
- "Could you possibly + verb"
  - Asks for help politely using the simple form of the verb.
- Examples:
  - "Could I possibly take some time off to help?"
  - "Could you possibly work overtime today?"
Formal Situations:
- "Could I ask / bother / trouble you + infinitive"
  - Employs the infinitive form of the verb (e.g., "to do") for formal favor requests.
- Examples:
  - "Could I ask you to help my brother?"
  - "Could I trouble you to open the door for me?"
Everyday Politeness:
- "Would you mind + verb + ing"
  - Uses the gerund form of the verb (e.g., "doing") for everyday favor requests.
- Examples:
  - "Would you mind closing the window?"
  - "Would you mind cooking dinner tonight?"
Very Formal Requests:
- "Would it be too much trouble for you + infinitive"
  - Used in very formal situations with the infinitive form.
- Examples:
  - "Would it be too much trouble for you to let me come in late tomorrow?"
  - "Would it be too much trouble for you to take a look at this letter?"
Seeking Permission:
- "May I + verb?"
  - Asks for permission using the simple form of the verb.
- Examples:
  - "May I leave class early?"
  - "May we use your telephone?"
Granting a Favor:
- Various phrases like "Sure," "No problem," "I'd be happy to help you," and others are used to grant a favor.
Refusing a Favor:
- Responses such as "I'm afraid I can't," "Sorry, but I'm unable," and similar expressions are employed to decline a favor.
Practice Dialogues and Situations:
- Practical examples and dialogues are provided for both asking for favors and responding, whether granting or refusing.
Additional Language Functions:
- The article mentions that asking for, granting, and refusing favors are specific language functions, and it encourages learners to explore other functions like making suggestions, giving advice, and contrasting ideas.

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide not only covers the linguistic aspects of asking for favors but also provides practical scenarios for application, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of this crucial aspect of interpersonal communication in English.