Some expressions How To Ask For Help

Some expressions “How To Ask For Help”

We all need help sometimes. In English, it is not polite to ask directly. So there are many expressions that we can say before a request to 'soften' it.

Could you please help me out with.....?

Would you mind showing me …..?

Is their any chance you have time to …?

Would you please explain to me …...?

Can you do me a favor please?

Please help me with ….. .

Is it possible for you to …..... ?

I was wondering if you could please show me how to ….. .

Do you have any free time on ….?

Do you know anything about ….?

I was having a problem with …... . Do you think you can help me?

If you don't mind, I could really use your assistance with …. ?

If you don't mind, I really need your help with …. .

I know your good with ….. , and I really could use some help.

I heard your really good at …. . Is their any chance you could help me?

Is their any chance you that you could give me a hand with ….?

I heard that you have a lot of experience with ….. , and I could really use your help.

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Speaking on the Phone "English For SMK"

Speaking on the Phone

For non-native English speakers, communicating via telephone can be a very difficult task. There are some common phrases and words that are used. There are some common basic words and phrases that are commonly used to conduct a telephone conversation.

Common Telephone Phrases for the Person Make The Phone Call (Caller)

Greeting

§  Hi - Hello - Hello, how are you?

§  good morning - good afternoon -good evening

§  How’s life?

Introductions

§  This is .... (give your name)

§  This is ....( give your name, from (state place, or company).

§  Hello this ...(give your name)

Requesting Someone

§  Can I please speak to .... (give the person's name)

§  I would like to speak to...(give the person's name)

§  Is ....(give the person's name) available.

§  Is it possible to speak to ....(give the person's name).

§  I need to speak to ....(give the person's name)

When Party (the person you are trying to call) is Unavailable

§  Do you know when he/she will return to the office/home?

§  I will call back latter/in an hour/tomorrow.

§  May I leave a message, please?

§  Do you know when he/she will be available?

§  Please tell him .....(give your name) called, and I will call latter/call again.

§  Please have him/she call me back.

§  Can I leave my telephone number? My phone number is.....(give your number)?

§  Please have him/her contact at ......(state a place or a phone number).

§  Where/How can I reach him/her?

§  What is her/his mobile phone number/Cell/Cellular phone number?

Faxes

§  May I send you a fax?

§  What is your fax number?

§  Did you receive my fax?

§  I send a fax to..... (give person's name), did he.she receive it?

Asking for Information

Other Useful Telephone Phrases/Words

§  Who am I speaking to?

§  Who is calling?

§  The number is busy.

§  My I hold on the line.

§  I sorry can't hear you.

§  I sorry I can't understand you.

§  Please speak slowly, I am having a difficult time understanding you.

§  The line was disconnected.

§  Please connect me to ....(give the name or the person, or the extensions)

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ENGLISH FOR SMK "Conditional Sentences"

A conditional sentence consists of two clauses; the if-clause, and the main clause. The if-clause can come first or second. When it comes first, we usually put a comma between the two clauses.

If I have enough time, I'll watch the football match.  

I'll watch the football match If I have enough time

Conditional Sentence Type 1

When do we use conditional sentence type 1?

1. We use conditional sentence type 1 to talk about possible situations in the present or future.
• If you leave earlier, you will not be late.
• If you open the windows, the room will get some fresh air.
2. We often use conditional type 1 to talk about facts or processes:
• If you heat water to 100 degrees, it will boil.
• If we stare into the sun, we will hurt our eyes.

The if-clause is in the present tense, the main clause uses will and the infinitive, or simple present.

Conditional Sentence Type 1
TYPE	IF CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE	MEANING
Type 1	Simple present If you work hard,	Simple present you succeed. Simple future you will succeed.	True in the present or possible in future It’s possible to happen in the future

Note:

Other modal verbs can also be used in place of will and would.

• If it rains like this all day, the river might flood. (might = will possibly)
• If it rains like this all day, the river could flood. (could = will be able to)

Conditional Sentences Type 1 refers to the future. An action in the future will only happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.

2.   Conditional Sentence Type 2

When do we use conditional sentence type 2?

Conditional sentence type 2 is used to talk about actions or situations that are not taking place in the present or future, but we can imagine the probable result.

o    If we didn’t live in a big city, we would not have to breathe polluted air everyday. (In truth, we live in a big city)

o    If he were here, I would tell him about my plan.
(In fact, he isn’t here)

The if-clause is in the simple past or the past continuous tense, the main clause uses would and the infinitive, or would be and the present participle (Verb-ing).

Conditional Sentence Type 2
TYPE	IF CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE	MEANING
Type 2	Simple past If you worked hard, Past continuous If it were not raining now,	would + simple form you would succeed. would be + present participle I would be going out for a walk.	Untrue in the present Fact: You don’t work hard, so you don’t succeed Fact:It’s raining now, so I’m not going out for a walk.

Note:

§  ‘Were’ is used for both singular and plural subjects.

§  The use of type 2 conditional in “If I were you, I would ………” is a common form of advice.

Conditional Sentences Type 2 refers to an action in the present that could happen if the present situation were different. I don't really expect the situation to change because it is very unlikely.

3.   Conditional Sentence Type 3

When do we use conditional sentence type 3?

Conditional sentence type 3 is used to talk about actions or situations that did not take or were not taking place in the past, but we can imagine the probable result.

o    If you had come to the party last night, you would have met my cousin. (In truth, you didn’t come to the party last night)

o    If he had not been late this morning, his teacher would not have punished him. (In truth, he was late)

The if-clause is in the past perfect or the past perfect continuous tense, the main clause uses would have and past participle (Verb 3), or would have been and present participle (Verb-ing).

Conditional Sentence Type 3
TYPE	IF CLAUSE	MAIN CLAUSE	MEANING
Type 3	Past perfect If you had worked hard, Past perfect continuous If it had not been raining yesterday afternoon,	would have + past participle you would have succeeded. would have been + present participle I would have been going out for a walk.	Untrue in the past Fact: You didn’t work hard, so you didn’t succeed. Fact: It was raining yesterday afternoon. I was not going out for a walk.

Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in the past. They express hypothetical results to past given situations.

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ENGLSIH FOR SMK "EXPRESSION ASKING AND GIVING PERMISSION"

When you ask for permission to use something that belongs to someone else you have to do your best to be polite. It is desirable to use the word "please."

Asking for Permission:

• Can I go out, please?
• May I open the window, please?
• Please, can I have a look at your photo album?
• Please, may I taste that hot spicy couscous dish?
• Do you mind if I smoke?
• Would you mind if I asked you something?
• Is it okay if I sit here?
• Would it be all right if I borrowed your mobile Phone?
• Do you mind if I leave now
• May I come in ?
• Could I ………, please ?
• Excuse me, could I try to turn on the computer ?
• I wonder if I could borrow your camera?
• Etc.

Giving permission (positive response):

-By all means                -Yes, of course Not at all

-Go ahead                     -Yes that’s fine

-Yes, why not                -Yes certainly

-All right please do       - Etc.

Refusing permission  (negative response):

-I’m afraid you can’t do that

-You’re not allowed to…..

-You should not……

-No, I am sorry you can’t

Examples of English Conversations:

On the Train

Armand   : Excuse me. Would you mind my opening that window?

Bryan      : Not at all, please go ahead.

Armand   : Thank you. It’s very hot here.

Bryan      : True. Can I take some water from your pitcher?

Armand   : Certainly. Can I have that magazine for a while?

Bryan      : I’m sorry, I haven’t finished reading it. I’ll give it to you as soon as I've finished.

Armand   : Thank you.

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ENGLISH FOR SMK "MAKING INVITATION"

Making invitations

Do you know how to invite someone to your house for dinner or to go to the movies?
What do you say in English when someone invites you? 

Here are some common expressions you can use when making or responding to invitations

Inviting:

• Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
• Would you like to go to the theater tomorrow?
• Would you be interested in going to the the stadium next Sunday?
• How do you fancy going to the the restaurant for dinner?
• How about going to the movies?
• Care to come over for lunch?
• I was just wondering if you would like to come over for a drink.
• We'd be delighted to have you over for my birthday party.

Accepting invitations:

• Sure. What time?
• I'd love to, thanks.
• That's very kind of you, thanks.
• That sounds lovely, thank you.
• What a great idea, thank you.
• Sure. When should I be there?

Declining invitations:

• I can't.  I have to work.
• This evening is no good.  I have an appointment.
• I'm busy tomorrow.  Can I take a rain check* on that? 
• That's very kind of you, but actually I'm doing something else this afternoon.
• Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going out to the restaurant.
• I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on.
• I really don't think I can - I'm supposed to be doing something else

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