Speaking: Functional Language B1 - Lesson 1
Function: Making Polite Requests, Suggestions & Offers
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use a range of more formal and indirect phrases to make polite requests, suggestions, and offers.
Conversation Scenario: Planning a Team Lunch
In more formal situations, like at work or with people you don't know well, it's important to use very polite language. Let's see how two colleagues plan an event.
Sophea: We need to plan the team lunch for Friday. Any ideas?
Dara: Hmm. Perhaps we could3 try that new Italian restaurant near the river?
Sophea: That's a good idea, but it might be expensive. I was wondering if you could2 check the prices online?
Dara: Of course. Would you like me to4 call them to make a reservation as well?
Sophea: Oh, could you? That would be a huge help. Thank you!
Dara: No problem at all.
Your Functional Toolkit
Function: Making Polite Requests
- Polite Request: a respectful way of asking someone to do something for you: ការស្នើសុំដោយសុភាព ↩
- I was wondering if you could...: A very polite and indirect way to ask for something: ខ្ញុំឆ្ងល់ថាតើអ្នកអាច... ↩
- Would you mind [+verb-ing]...?: A very polite question to ask if something would bother or trouble someone: តើអ្នកនឹងមានបញ្ហាក្នុងការ...ទេ?
Function: Making Polite Suggestions
- Perhaps we could...: A soft, formal way to suggest an idea: ប្រហែលជាយើងអាច... ↩
- Maybe we should...: A common and slightly less formal way to suggest an idea: ប្រហែលជាយើងគួរ...
Function: Making Polite Offers
- Would you like me to...?: A polite way to offer to do something for someone: តើអ្នកចង់ឱ្យខ្ញុំ...ទេ? ↩
- Shall I...?: A common way to offer help, especially in British English: តើខ្ញុំគួរតែ...ទេ?
Intonation of Indirect Phrases
These polite, indirect phrases have a specific "music" to them. They are not strong or demanding. The intonation is usually soft and rises at the end to show it is a genuine question, not a command.
- "Would you mind closing the window? ↗"
- "I was wondering if you could help me? ↗"
Choosing Your Level of Formality
Choosing the right phrase depends on the situation and who you are talking to.
| Function | Direct (Informal) | Polite (Standard) | Indirect (Very Polite/Formal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request | Help me. | Can you help me? | Would you mind helping me? |
| Suggestion | Let's go. | Why don't we go? | Perhaps we could go. |
| Offer | I can help. | Can I help? | Would you like me to help? |
Practice Polite Functions
Activity 1: Upgrade the Phrase
Change the direct, informal phrase into a more polite, indirect B1 phrase.
- Direct: "Open the door." -> Polite: "Could you open the door, please?" or "Would you mind opening the door?"
- Direct: "Let's start the meeting." -> Polite: "Perhaps we should start the meeting."
- Direct: "I will get you a drink." -> Polite: "Would you like me to get you a drink?"
Activity 2: Role-Play a Formal Situation
Work with a partner. Imagine one of you is a new employee and the other is the manager. The new employee needs to ask for help understanding a new computer system. The manager should offer to help. Use the polite, indirect phrases from this lesson.
Your Functional Mission
This week in Battambang, your mission is to practice using more formal and polite language.
Find one situation where you can use a more advanced phrase. For example, instead of asking a teacher "Can you explain?", try "I was wondering if you could explain this part again." Notice how it feels different and more respectful.