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Julia, could you help me with these boxes?
I could, but you are carrying four at once.
Why did you not ask before you disappeared behindthem?
I said, help me with these boxes.
That sounds more like a command than a politerequest.
Then could you give me a hand?
Much better. Put the boxes down first and we canteach the expression properly.
Welcome to your English Toolbox. I am Martin.
And I am Julia.
This is Episode 8 of Everyday Useful Expressions,
our series of ready-made English for realsituations.
Today we are learning four natural ways to ask forhelp politely.
Our first expression is, could you give me a hand?
Could you give me a hand?
It means, could you help me?
It is friendly and very natural for practicaltasks.
For example, could you give me a hand with theseboxes?
Or, could you give me a hand moving this table?
Notice the pattern.
Give someone a hand with a noun or with an actionending in "-ing".
And no, nobody is asking for a separate hand.
Usually no.
Our second expression is, would you mind...
Would you mind...
Use would you mind plus an action ending in"-ing".
For example, would you mind holding the door forme?
Or, would you mind helping me move this chair?
Do not say, would you mind to hold the door?
After mind, use the "-ing form".
There is also a small trap in the answer.
If someone asks, would you mind helping me?
The reply, not at all, means you are happy tohelp.
You can also avoid confusion and say, of course, Ican help.
Our third expression is, I could use some helpwith...
I could use some help with...
This is an indirect, gentle way to say that helpwould be useful.
For example, I could use some help with thisreport.
Or, I could use some help carrying these bags.
It works well when the situation is clear and theother person can offer to help.
If you need a direct answer, you can follow itwith a request.
03:02
I could use some help with the chairs.
Could you give me a hand?
Our fourth expression is, I'd appreciate it if youcould...
I'd appreciate it if you could...
This is polite and slightly more formal.
It is useful at work, in emails, or when therequest requires extra effort.
For example, I'd appreciate it if you could sendme the figures before lunch.
Or, I'd appreciate it if you could check thebooking one more time.
Notice the complete pattern, I'd appreciate it ifyou could,
followed by the base form of the verb.
So, if you could send, check, or help.
Let us compare the four expressions.
Could you give me a hand is friendly andpractical.
Would you mind plus-ing is a polite request thatfocuses on whether the action is a problem.
I could use some help with something as gentle andindirect.
And, I'd appreciate it if you could is polite andmore formal.
Time for a quick challenge.
Choose the most natural expression before weanswer.
Would you mind closing the window?
I could use some help with this spreadsheet.
I'd appreciate it if you could send me the finaldocument before the meeting.
You could say, would you mind checking thesenumbers?
Or, I'd appreciate it if you could check thesenumbers.
Each one includes its meaning, tone, two examples,and active practice.
The direct link is in the episode description.
Julia, could you give me a hand with the boxesnow?
Of course. Which one should I take?
The smallest one.
You carried four boxes over here, and you aregiving me the smallest one.
I am practicing polite requests, not poordecisions.
06:01
I'd appreciate it if you could reconsider.
That expression is very effective.
See you next time, friends.
Goodbye.
