Making Requests Politely - Functional Language
Practise making requests politely at B2–C1 level with useful phrase patterns and short situation-based responses. A separate page of suggested answers supports checking and discussion of other appropriate responses.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Useful phrase patterns
- Situation-based response practice
- Space for written responses
- Suggested answers on page 2
Make a professional request that is considerate but specific about the required action.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 2 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 2 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Give learners page 1; use the suggested answers on page 2 after they have written and compared their own responses.
- Compare I was wondering if you could… with May I request… and check Would you mind plus -ing.
- Write requests for confirmation, a two-day extension, review, policy clarification and other tasks.
- Practise one request with a short-notice constraint and let the listener negotiate rather than assume compliance.
Support and extension
Support with action/time/reason notes. Extend by adjusting formality to a colleague or client. Accept suitable alternatives; polite wording should not hide what is wanted or imply access is already authorised.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
