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.
1. Could you send me the report?
______
Please send me the report.
a) Please send me the report.
b) Do not send me the report.
2. Would you mind sending the figures?
______
Please send the figures.
a) Keep the figures for now.
b) Please send the figures.
3. I was wondering if you could confirm the order.
______
Please confirm the order.
a) Please confirm the order.
b) Cancel the order.
4. Could you have a look at this document?
______
Please check this document.
a) Ignore this document.
b) Please check this document.
5. Would you be able to join the meeting at ten?
______
Please 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?
______
Please tell me by Friday.
a) Wait until next week.
b) Please tell me by Friday.
7. Would you mind taking another look at the numbers?
______
Please check the numbers again.
a) Please check the numbers again.
b) Delete the numbers.
8. I was hoping you could send the revised version.
______
Please send the revised version.
a) Keep the old version.
b) Please send the revised version.
9. Could you clarify that point for me?
______
Please explain that point.
a) Please explain that point.
b) Change the subject.
10. Would you mind replying today?
______
Please reply today.
a) Reply whenever you like.
b) Please reply today.
11. Could you put that in writing?
______
Please write that down.
a) Please write that down.
b) Do not write anything.
12. I was wondering if you could share the presentation.
______
Please share the presentation.
a) Hide the presentation.
b) Please share the presentation.
13. Could you send over the contract?
______
Please send the contract.
a) Please send the contract.
b) Sign the contract now.
14. Would you be able to call me this afternoon?
______
Please call me this afternoon.
a) Call me next month.
b) Please call me this afternoon.
15. Could you update the schedule?
______
Please update the schedule.
a) Please update the schedule.
b) Ignore the schedule.
16. Would you mind confirming receipt?
______
Please confirm that you received it.
a) Send it again.
b) Please confirm that you received it.
17. I was hoping you could look into this.
______
Please investigate this.
a) Please investigate this.
b) Forget about this.
18. Could you get back to me tomorrow?
______
Please reply tomorrow.
a) Reply next week.
b) Please reply tomorrow.
19. Would you mind checking with your team?
______
Please check 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.
______
Please resend the email.
a) Delete the email.
b) Please resend the email.
21. Could you give us an update by noon?
______
Please 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?
______
Please review the proposal.
a) Approve the proposal now.
b) Please review the proposal.
23. Could you forward this to finance?
______
Please send this to finance.
a) Please send this to finance.
b) Keep this private.
24. I was wondering if you could arrange a meeting.
______
Please arrange a meeting.
a) Cancel the meeting.
b) Please arrange a meeting.
25. Would you mind sending the invoice today?
______
Please send the invoice today.
a) Please send the invoice today.
b) The invoice is no longer needed.