29-09-2013, 11:48 AM
Typical responses to requests
to answer positively :
If you want to respond to a request positively, use the following typical responses to requests.
Formal style: I'd be glad to. / I'd be happy to.
Less formal: Yes, of course. / Of course. / Certainly.
Informal: Sure / No problem. / Uh-huh(means yes)/All right/OK
Examples:
Could you tell her that Roy James called? – I'd be glad to.
Could you tell me where the bank is, please? – Sure. It's right around the corner on Fifth Street, next to the post office.
Could you help me with this report? – Yes, of course. / Certainly.
To answer negatively:
If for some reason you want to respond to a request negatively, use the following typical responses.
Formal style: I'm afraid it's not possible. / I'm very sorry, but... / I'd like(love) to, but... / I wish I could (help), but.../that sounds great but...
Less formal: Sorry. / Sorry, I can't
Examples:
Could you lend me a hundred dollars? – I'm afraid it's not possible. / I'm very sorry, but I can't lend you a hundred dollars now. / I wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I can't.
Could I use your phone? – I'm sorry. I'm waiting for a phone call.
Would you please ask him to call me at seven o'clock? – I'd like to, but I won't see him.
Formal style: I'd be glad to. / I'd be happy to.
Less formal: Yes, of course. / Of course. / Certainly.
Informal: Sure / No problem. / Uh-huh(means yes)/All right/OK
Examples:
Could you tell her that Roy James called? – I'd be glad to.
Could you tell me where the bank is, please? – Sure. It's right around the corner on Fifth Street, next to the post office.
Could you help me with this report? – Yes, of course. / Certainly.
To answer negatively:
If for some reason you want to respond to a request negatively, use the following typical responses.
Formal style: I'm afraid it's not possible. / I'm very sorry, but... / I'd like(love) to, but... / I wish I could (help), but.../that sounds great but...
Less formal: Sorry. / Sorry, I can't
Examples:
Could you lend me a hundred dollars? – I'm afraid it's not possible. / I'm very sorry, but I can't lend you a hundred dollars now. / I wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I can't.
Could I use your phone? – I'm sorry. I'm waiting for a phone call.
Would you please ask him to call me at seven o'clock? – I'd like to, but I won't see him.