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Grammar Focus B 3-2 (Core)

This document discusses direct and indirect requests in the workplace. It provides examples of direct requests that use helping verbs like "can" and "could" directly before the main verb. Indirect requests introduce the request with a phrase like "I wonder" before using the helping verb followed by the subject and main verb. The document includes a practice conversation where six direct requests are changed to indirect requests by rearranging the subject, helping verb, and main verb.

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Ricky Young
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31 views

Grammar Focus B 3-2 (Core)

This document discusses direct and indirect requests in the workplace. It provides examples of direct requests that use helping verbs like "can" and "could" directly before the main verb. Indirect requests introduce the request with a phrase like "I wonder" before using the helping verb followed by the subject and main verb. The document includes a practice conversation where six direct requests are changed to indirect requests by rearranging the subject, helping verb, and main verb.

Uploaded by

Ricky Young
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Grammar for Block 3-1 VTC LAN 6030

VE & CS

Direct and Indirect Requests

Very often in the workplace, we make requests such as asking for help or
information from others.
To make direct and indirect requests correctly, we have to note the positions
of the subject and verb.

Study the following examples.

Direct Requests

1. Can I leave a message?

2. How do you spell this word?

3. Can you open the door for me?

4. Could you answer my phone calls for the next hour?

5. Can you speak a little more slowly?

Indirect Requests (Begin with an introductory phrase)

1. I wonder if I can leave a message.


(“can leave” comes after the subject “I”)

2. I would like to know how you spell this word.


(“spell” comes after the subject “you”)

3. I wonder if you can open the door for me.


(“can open” comes after the subject “you”)

4. I’d like to know if you could answer my phone calls for the next hour.
(“could answer” comes after the subject “you”)

5. I wonder if you can speak a little more slowly.


(“can speak” comes after the subject “you”)

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 1 of 2


Grammar for Block 3-1 VTC LAN 6030
VE & CS

Practice

You are making a phone call to Ms Mary Chan of ABC Company. She is not in
the company and someone else answers the phone. You want to get the
following information:

Where is she?
When will she be back?
Is she free on Monday?
How long has she been out?
How can I contact her?
Can I leave a message?

Complete the conversation below. Change the six direct requests into indirect
requests.

1. A: Do you know
_________________________________________?
B: Sorry, I've got no idea.
2. A: Never mind. I don't think you know _______________________.
B: No, I am afraid not.
3. A: Well. Can you tell me _________________________________?
B: I'm sorry. I don’t know.
4. A: By the way, could I know _______________________________?
B: How can I know?
5. A: Oh! Do you have any idea _____________________________?
B: Sorry, I really don’t know.
6. A: Well, I wonder ________________________________________.
B: You can call back later.
7. A: OK. Thank you very much, goodbye.
B: Goodbye.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 2 of 2

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