💬 Functions · Real Talk

Making and Responding to Requests | 1st Year Bac Lesson

Unit 2 · Society · 1st Year Bac · Ticket to English 1

📖 Learn

Phrases for asking someone to do something, and for saying yes or no politely. This is your reference before the exam.

COULD YOU...? هل يمكنك أن
A polite, common way to ask someone for something.
"Could you help me with this exercise?"
WOULD YOU MIND...? هل تمانع أن
A very polite way to ask, followed by a verb + ing.
"Would you mind closing the window?"
CAN I...? هل يمكنني أن
A simple, everyday way to ask for permission or help.
"Can I borrow your pen, please?"
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD...? كنت أتساءل إن كان بإمكانك
A soft, very polite way to make a request.
"I was wondering if you could explain this again."
IS IT OKAY IF...? هل لا بأس إن
A friendly way to ask for permission.
"Is it okay if I leave five minutes early?"
DO YOU THINK YOU COULD...? هل تعتقد أنه بإمكانك
A polite, indirect way to ask someone for help.
"Do you think you could send me the notes?"

SURE, NO PROBLEM. بالتأكيد، لا مشكلة
A friendly, easy way to say yes.
"Sure, no problem, I'll help you now."
OF COURSE. بالطبع
A quick, warm way to agree to a request.
"Of course, here you go."
CERTAINLY. بكل تأكيد
A more formal way to say yes.
"Certainly, I can do that for you."
I'D BE HAPPY TO. يسعدني ذلك
A warm, willing way to agree.
"I'd be happy to explain it again."
NO PROBLEM AT ALL. لا مشكلة إطلاقا
A relaxed, friendly way to accept a request.
"No problem at all, take your time."

I'M AFRAID I CAN'T. آسف، لا يمكنني
A polite way to say no.
"I'm afraid I can't, I'm busy right now."
I'M SORRY, BUT... آسف، لكن
A soft way to start a polite refusal.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have my notes with me."
UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T. للأسف، لا يمكنني
A polite way to say no with a small explanation.
"Unfortunately, I can't come today."
I WISH I COULD, BUT... أتمنى لو كان بإمكاني، لكن
A very polite way to decline, showing you want to help.
"I wish I could, but I have another exam."
MAYBE ANOTHER TIME. ربما في وقت آخر
A soft way to say no while staying friendly.
"Maybe another time, I'm really busy today."

A quick tip on politeness


“Can you…?” is fine with friends, but “Could you…?” and “Would you mind…?” sound more polite — better for talking to a teacher or someone you don’t know well. Also, always add a reason when you say no. “I’m afraid I can’t” sounds better with “…I have a class now” than alone.

Making and Responding to Requests | 1st Year Bac Lesson — lesson visual
🎮 Practice

Short rounds testing everything from the Learn zone above.

Your classmate: Could you lend me a pen?
Sure, no problem.
Whatever.
I don’t care.
“Sure, no problem” is a friendly, natural way to agree to a small request.
Your teacher: Would you mind closing the door?
No way.
Of course.
I’m sorry I’m late.
“Of course” is a warm, quick way to agree to a polite request.

🔎 Tap the word that doesn't belong.

🙏could you…?
sure, no problem
👍of course
😊certainly
“Could you…?” is the odd one out — it’s a request, the others are all ways to say yes.
Your friend: Can I borrow your notebook?
I’m afraid I can’t, I need it for the exam.
No, never.
Absolutely not.
“I’m afraid I can’t” politely says no, and adding a reason makes it sound better.
⟪blank⟫ if I left the class five minutes early?
Is it okay
I’d be happy
Certainly
“Is it okay if…?” is a natural way to ask for permission.
Your classmate: I was wondering if you could explain question 3.
I’d be happy to.
Leave me alone.
I don’t know you.
“I’d be happy to” shows you’re willing to help.

🔎 Tap the word that doesn't belong.

🚫maybe another time
certainly
👍of course
😊I’d be happy to
“Maybe another time” is the odd one out — it’s a polite no, the others are all ways to say yes.
⟪blank⟫ I can't come to the meeting today.
Unfortunately,
Certainly,
Of course,
“Unfortunately” is a polite way to introduce bad news or a refusal.
Your neighbor: Do you think you could water my plants this week?
I wish I could, but I’m traveling this week.
That’s your problem.
I hate plants.
“I wish I could, but…” politely declines while showing good will.
Which is the most polite way to ask a teacher for help?
Help me now.
Would you mind helping me with this?
Can you help, or not?
“Would you mind…?” is the most polite of the three for talking to a teacher.
Everything covered in this lesson
Could you…? هل يمكنك أن
Would you mind…? هل تمانع أن
Can I…? هل يمكنني أن
I was wondering if you could…? كنت أتساءل إن كان بإمكانك
Is it okay if…? هل لا بأس إن
Do you think you could…? هل تعتقد أنه بإمكانك
Sure
no problem بالتأكيد، لا مشكلة
Of course بالطبع
Certainly بكل تأكيد
I’d be happy to يسعدني ذلك
No problem at all لا مشكلة إطلاقا
I’m afraid I can’t آسف، لا يمكنني
I’m sorry
but… آسف، لكن
Unfortunately
I can’t للأسف، لا يمكنني
I wish I could
but… أتمنى لو كان بإمكاني، لكن
Maybe another time ربما في وقت آخر
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Making and Responding to Requests | 1st Year Bac Lesson — Summary

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Making and Responding to Requests | 1st Year Bac Lesson — summary card
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