1. 2 E 2 S E M N G Offers & RequestsD 2 E 2 S E M N G ม. I G I T
Offers & Requests A L
4.0

2. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Functions
What is a function?
• A function is a way of describing language according to its purpose (how it is used). Functions can be short phrases as well as single words. Typical functions are: offering something, asking for permission, making a suggestion etc. G I T A L
4.0

3. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Functions
What is a function?
• The same function can use different words. Our choice of words depends on:
- The situation we are in: is it public or private? Who else is present?
- The person we are talking to: someone of our own age? How well do we know them?
- What we are talking about: is the topic sensitive? Or is it light and unimportant? G I T A L
4.0

4. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Functions
What is a function?
• The functions below are classified as formal (=polite), neutral or informal, but the choice of words depends on many things. You might be talking to a friend and you want to borrow a pen, so you are informal. If you are talking to the same friend and you want to borrow a large amount of money, you will use more formal language. G I T A L
4.0

5. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar
Asking for information
• To ask for information we can use an indirect question form:
Can you tell me what time the bus from Glasgow arrives? (neutral)
Could you tell me what time the bus from Glasgow arrives? (neutral)
=> Of course. It arrives at 9.30. G I T A L
4.0

6. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar
Asking for information
Would you mind telling me what time the bus from Glasgow arrives?
=> Of course not. It arrives at (formal)
• Note the indirect question form (NOT what time does...). G I T A L
4.0

7. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Offers
Offering help:
Shall I carry this suitcase for you? (neutral)
Let me carry your suitcase (neutral)
Thank you very much./Thanks, but I can manage. G I T A L
4.0

8. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Offers
Offering things:
Would you like a soft drink? (neutral)
=>Yes, please, I'll have an orange juice, No thanks, it's OK. (neutral)
Would you like tea or coffee?
=>I’d rather have coffee, please. / I’d prefer tea, please. /I don't mind. G I T A L
4.0

9. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Permission
Is it all right if leave early? (informal)
Can I leave early, please? (neutral)
=> Yes, of course.
=> Sorry, but you can’t. You have to stay to the end. G I T A L
4.0

10. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Permission
Could I possibly leave a bit early, please? (formal)
=> Yes, you can.
May I leave early please? (formal)
=>Yes, you may
When we reply we often repeat the modal verb, but notice that when we reply to could we say can not could. G I T A L
4.0

11. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Promising
I'll be back at (neutral)
I won't do anything silly! (neutral)
Will is used in many functions. G I T A L
4.0

12. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Requests
Can you open the windows please? (neutral)
Can you help me? (neutral)
Could you open the window please? (formal)
Will/Would you wait here, please? (formal) G I T A L
4.0

13. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar Requests
We can reply to a request by agreeing or refusing:
=> Sure. / No problem. / Of course.
=> Actually, it's a bit inconvenient. / I’m sorry but that's not possible. G I T A L
4.0

14. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar
Requests with mind
• Requests with mind are confusing because Would you mind ... means 'Is it a problem for you?’. So we say ‘no’ if we want to be helpful.
Would you mind helping me?
 No, of course not.
 Actually I'm quite busy at the moment. Perhaps later. G I T A L
4.0

15. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar
Requests with mind
• We use an -ing form after Would you mind. G I T A L
4.0

16. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar
Suggesting and advising
Let's go to the cinema (neutral)
Why don't we go to the cinema? (neutral)
How about going to the cinema? (neutral)
We could go to the cinema (neutral) G I T A L
4.0

17. D I G I T A L 4.0 Offers & Requests ENG M.2 Sem. 2 Grammar
Suggesting and advising
If we make a suggestion to another person it is advice:
I think you should stay at home. (formal)
If I were you, I’d stay at home. (formal) G I T A L
4.0