Offering and Asking for a Favor or Help

In our daily interactions, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to ask for help or offer assistance to others. Knowing how to appropriately offer or request a favor is an essential communication skill, especially in English, where certain phrases and polite expressions can make a big difference. Whether you're helping a friend, asking for support at work, or simply offering a hand, understanding the right words and tone can strengthen relationships and show respect. In this post, we'll explore key expressions, cultural nuances, and tips to help you confidently offer and ask for help in English.

These are common polite expressions used when we offer and ask for help:

Offering Help	Responses
Can I ... + Verb 1? Let me ... + Verb 1. What can I do for you? Can I help you? Let me help you. Let me give you a lift. Can I do something for you? Do you want something to ...? Shall I get you to ...?	Accepting Sure. Certainly. Of course. With pleasure. Refusing No, thanks. I can do it myself. I’m sorry. I can’t ....
Asking for a Favor / Help
Can/could/will/would you ... + Verb 1? Would you mind ... verb-ing? Can you help me? Can you hold this rabbit? Would you mind helping me with my homework?

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Dialogue 1
Vera: Hey, Ary. You look busy. What are you doing?
Ary: Well, I want to separate my hamsters. They fight all the time.
Vera: How can I help you?
Ary: Well, please hold this hamster. I’ll take the other one out. He’s very naughty.
Vera: Are you sure it won't bite me?
Ary: Don't worry. It's quite tame. The other one isn't.
Vera: Wow. It's so cute.
Ary: Alright. It’s done. Thanks for the help.
Vera: My pleasure. I think they’re very hungry. What do you give them?
Ary: I give them carrots, cabbages and many other kinds of vegetable. By the way, where are you going?
Vera: Well, actually I’m here because I need your help.
Ary: What is it? I’ll be happy to help.
Vera: It’s the mathematics assignment from Mr. Gatot. I think it’s rather complicated.
Ary: Alright. Let's go in. I hope I can help you.

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Dialogue 2

Romi: Would you mind helping me, Edo?
Edo: I'd be glad to, Romi. What do you want me to do?
Romi: Help me hang up this picture. Hold it straight while I put in the nail.
Edo: I'd be glad to.
Romi: Hand me the hammer. Give me one of those nails, too, please.
Edo: Here you are.
Romi: There. How does it look? Tell me if I have it straight.
Edo: Yes, it's straight, but it's upside down.

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Exercise

1. Answer these questions by referring to Dialogue 1
   
   1. Where does the dialogue probably take place?
   2. What does Ary want to do?
   3. What does Ary want Vera to do?
   4. What does Vera want Ary to do?
   5. Can Ary help her?
   6. What will probably happen after the dialogue?
2. Answer these questions by referring to Dialogue 2
   
   1. Where does the dialogue probably take place?
   2. What is Romi doing?
   3. What does Romi want Edo to do?
   4. What happens in the end?
   5. What will they probably do after the dialogue?
3. Change the following to questions used when we ask for someone's favor.
   1. I want you to get the broken printer repaired.
   2. I want you to turn the lights off.
   3. I want you to submit the proposal tomorrow morning.
   4. I want you to get the reports ready.
   5. I want you to help me lift this box.

Keep the Inspiration Going

📘 Contrasting "Would you mind ..." VS "Would you like ...?" 📘 Polite requests with "Can you", "Could you", "Will you", "Would you" 📘 Giving and Asking for Permissions