Use one of these phrases to make polite requests: ▶ Could you (please) ▶ Would you mind ▶ I was wondering if you could
Here's how to form the sentences:
=> Option A: Could you + base form* of verb + "?": Examples: ▶ Could you pick up a pizza on your way home from work? ▶ Could you help me translate this letter? ▶ Could you please** drop my book off at the library?
*The base form of the verb is the verb without any endings ** The "please" here is optional. Of course, it makes the request more polite.
=> Option B: Would you mind + [verb + ing] + "?" Examples: ▶ Would you mind picking up a pizza on your way home from work? ▶ Would you mind helping me translate this letter? ▶ Would you mind dropping my book off at the library?
=> Option C: I was wondering if you could + base form of verb + "." Examples: ▶ I was wondering if you could pick up a pizza on your way home from work. ▶ I was wondering if you could help me translate this letter. ▶ I was wondering if you could drop my book off at the library.
Note that Options B and C are less direct than Option A and therefore may sound a little more polite.
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