Polite Requests – British English

Polite Requests in British English

British English often makes requests in a polite, indirect way.

Instead of saying "Send me the file.", speakers often say: Could you send me the file?, Would you mind sending me the file?, or I was wondering if you could send me the file.

Example:
Could you send me the report?
Real meaning: Please send me the report.

Choose the real meaning.

Score: 0 / 25

1. Could you send me the report? ______
a) Please send me the report.
b) Do not send me the report.

2. Would you mind sending the figures? ______
a) Keep the figures for now.
b) Please send the figures.

3. I was wondering if you could confirm the order. ______
a) Please confirm the order.
b) Cancel the order.

4. Could you have a look at this document? ______
a) Ignore this document.
b) Please check this document.

5. Would you be able to join the meeting at ten? ______
a) Please join the meeting at ten.
b) The meeting is cancelled.

6. Could you let me know by Friday? ______
a) Wait until next week.
b) Please tell me by Friday.

7. Would you mind taking another look at the numbers? ______
a) Please check the numbers again.
b) Delete the numbers.

8. I was hoping you could send the revised version. ______
a) Keep the old version.
b) Please send the revised version.

9. Could you clarify that point for me? ______
a) Please explain that point.
b) Change the subject.

10. Would you mind replying today? ______
a) Reply whenever you like.
b) Please reply today.

11. Could you put that in writing? ______
a) Please write that down.
b) Do not write anything.

12. I was wondering if you could share the presentation. ______
a) Hide the presentation.
b) Please share the presentation.

13. Could you send over the contract? ______
a) Please send the contract.
b) Sign the contract now.

14. Would you be able to call me this afternoon? ______
a) Call me next month.
b) Please call me this afternoon.

15. Could you update the schedule? ______
a) Please update the schedule.
b) Ignore the schedule.

16. Would you mind confirming receipt? ______
a) Send it again.
b) Please confirm that you received it.

17. I was hoping you could look into this. ______
a) Please investigate this.
b) Forget about this.

18. Could you get back to me tomorrow? ______
a) Reply next week.
b) Please reply tomorrow.

19. Would you mind checking with your team? ______
a) Please check with your team.
b) Do not ask your team.

20. I was wondering if you could resend the email. ______
a) Delete the email.
b) Please resend the email.

21. Could you give us an update by noon? ______
a) Please give us an update by noon.
b) No update is needed.

22. Would you be able to review the proposal? ______
a) Approve the proposal now.
b) Please review the proposal.

23. Could you forward this to finance? ______
a) Please send this to finance.
b) Keep this private.

24. I was wondering if you could arrange a meeting. ______
a) Cancel the meeting.
b) Please arrange a meeting.

25. Would you mind sending the invoice today? ______
a) Please send the invoice today.
b) The invoice is no longer needed.

Score: 0 / 25