Polite requests – improving your intonation
Canada geese on the river Otter estuary, Devon, England
Just a quick blog this time to help you with your intonation. Read and listen to the following polite requests. Each request (examples 1 to 7) is recorded three times – the first time with ‘flat’ intonation, the second and third with ‘ordinary’ intonation. Notice how the ‘ordinary’ intonation in each request makes the speaker sound both friendlier and more interesting than the duller sounding ‘flat’ intonation. Try to copy the ‘ordinary’ intonation and rhythm of each example. Good luck!
1) Would you mind opening the window? It’s rather hot in here.
2) Could I sit here, please?
3) I wonder if you could help me out tomorrow morning? I’m moving house.
4) Would you like to see a movie tonight? Avatar is showing at The Odeon.
5) How about going to the beach this weekend? It’s going to be 35 degrees on Saturday.
6) It would be really helpful if you could stay on tonight – as you know, we have to finish the accounts audit.
7) Can you pass me the newspaper, please? I’m afraid I’ve hurt my back.
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Copyright (c) Maurice Taylor www.taylorenglish.wordpress.com
gypsy moth caterpillar,
how will i ask this, help me please:
want to say restart (computer)
is this correct?
Can you restart your computer for a while, please?
or
If you don’t mind, please restart your computer please.
or
Please restart your computer.
Thank you.
hello I would like an example of sounding polite ,like a conversataion colud oyu help me
Hello ,thank you for this article ,it made understand that intonation in requests is the same as in permissions.because asking for permission is in fact making a polite request .eg:can i sit here ?would be the same as you say:would you mind if i sit here ?”.
Now for intonation ,it should start quite high ,rise then fall on the last word when we please ,this latter should be pronounced with a higher tone.
Is this right ?i would be very thankful if you correct it for me .
Best regards
Hi Isma,
Yes, concerning your first point I think you’re broadly right. However, it’s worth noting that a general polite request e.g ‘Could you open the door please?’ is a little different than a request for permission e.g. ‘Do you mind if I open the door?’ The first is asking ‘Can I open the door’ while the seconds asks ‘Is it ok (with you) if I open the door’
As for you second point, yes, I think you have identified the correct intonation pattern – at least for a native English speaker. Of course, while the finer points of intonation are important, I think the main thing is to make yourself understood.
Best wishes,
Maurice
A+ would read again
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it