TESOL/Asking for help

Key sentences

Asking for help Giving or denying help
If (verb) may I ask a favor? Sure, what is it?
Mhm?
Asking for help Giving or denying help
Could you help me (verb) ?
Can you help me (verb) ?
Hmm, let me see.
Well...
Giving or denying help Asking for help
What do you need my help for?
Why do you need it?
It's just that (reason).
Asking for help Giving or denying help
I'd really (verb phrase).
It would really help me out.
Sure, (verb).
Actually, (excuse).

Drills

Say these sentences without looking.

If (verb) may I ask a favor?
verb sentence
you're not too busy If you're not too busy may I ask a favor?
it's ok If it's ok may I ask a favor?
you don't mind If you don't mind may I ask a favor?
it's possible If it's possible may I ask a favor?
Could you help me (verb) ?
verb sentence
do my homework Could you help me do my homework ?
carry this suitcase Could you help me carry this suitcase ?
find my keys Could you help me find my keys ?
set the table Could you help me set the table ?
It's just that (reason).
reason sentence
I can't understand my homework It's just that I can't understand my homework.
It's too heavy It's just that It's too heavy.
I can't find them It's just that I can't find them.
I'm very tired It's just that I'm very tired.
I'd really (verb phrase).
verb phrase sentence
appreciate it I'd really appreciate it.
be glad if you did I'd really be glad if you did.
like that I'd really like that.
appreciate that I'd really appreciate that.
Sure, (verb).
verb sentence
I wouldn't mind Sure, I wouldn't mind.
that's ok Sure, that's ok.
no problem Sure, no problem.
that's fine Sure, that's fine.

Example

Practice this conversation.

Asking for help Giving or denying help
If (you're not too busy) may I ask a favor? Sure, what is it?
Asking for help Giving or denying help
Could you help me (do my homework) ? Hmm, let me see.
Giving or denying help Asking for help
What do you need my help for? It's just that (I can't understand my homework).
Asking for help Giving or denying help
I'd really (appreciate it). Sure, (I wouldn't mind).

Change partners. Use your imagination and change the sentences.

Exercise

Use your imagination. Make your own conversation.

Asking for help Giving or denying help

If ... may I ask a favor?

Sure, what is it?

Asking for help Giving or denying help
Could you help me ... ? Hmm, let me see.
Giving or denying help Asking for help
What do you need my help for? It's just that ....
Asking for help Giving or denying help
I'd really .... Sure, ....

Change partners. Use your imagination and make another conversation.

Practice

Asking for help Giving or denying help
Ask your partner for help. Ask why and agree to help or deny help.

Further study


  Resource type: this resource is a lesson in English as a second language.

Review edit

1 Put these words in the correct order. ("It's" is used two times.)

that heavy it's just very
Word 1
Word 2
Word 3
Word 4
Word 5
Word 6

2 Put these words in the correct order.

a too may If ask favor? you're not busy, I
Word 1
Word 2
Word 3
Word 4
Word 5
Word 6
Word 7
Word 8
Word 9
Word 10

3 Put these words in the correct order.

would appreciate I really that
Word 1
Word 2
Word 3
Word 4
Word 5