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Asking Favours
Extract 1
I’ve got to go to the Post Office to pick something up and it’s raining. Could you lend me your umbrella?
Of course. As long as you don’t lose it.
Extract 2
The thing is that I need somewhere quiet where we won’t be interrupted. Could I use your office?
All right, as long as it’s free by four.
We use Could I ...? to ask people to allow us to do something. We use Could you ...? when we are asking them to do something.
3
a He asks him to lend him his car.
b He refuses quite aggressively.
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1 d 2 h 3 b 4 k 5 c 6 i 7 g 8 n 9 f 10 m 11 a 12 l 13 e 14 j
6
a We need someone to ... Could you do it?
b Can’t we just put the answerphone on for a couple of hours?
c If you do it, I’ll see it as a personal favour.
d Your contract is up for renewal next month. Enough said?
Upgrade
a Probably not
b Yes, he is.
c Yes, he does.
d I was wondering if there’s any chance …; I quite understand, but I’d really appreciate it if you could ...; I’m sorry to put you to any trouble; thank you ever so much
2
b No c No
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