Asking and Giving Information

Asking and Giving Information

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Asking for information can be as simple as asking for the time, or as complicated as asking for details about a complicated process. In both cases, it's important to use the appropriate form for the situation. For example, when asking for information from a friend, use a more informal or colloquial form. When asking a colleague, use a slightly more formal form, and when asking for information from a stranger, use an appropriately formal construction.

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Asking and Giving Information

Formal and Informal Structures

Example:

• How much does it cost?

• Where does she live?

​Simple Question Structure:

Wh? + Helping Verb + Subject + Verb

Very Informal Structures

​If you are asking a friend or family member for information, use a direct question.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Structure:

Pardon me / Excuse me + Can / Could you tell me + Wh? + Subject + verb?

More Formal Structures

Use these forms for simple, everyday questions in stores, with colleagues at work, and in other informal situations.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Example:

• Can you tell me when the train arrives?

• Pardon me, could you tell me how much the book costs?

More Formal Structures

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Formal and More Complicated Questions

Use these forms when asking complicated questions that require a lot of information. These should also be used when asking questions of important people such as your boss, on a job interview, etc.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Formal and More Complicated Questions

Structure:

I wonder if you could + tell me/explain/provide information on...

​

Example:

• I wonder if you could explain how health insurance is handled at your company.

• I wonder if you could provide information on your pricing structure.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Formal and More Complicated Questions

Structure:

Would you mind + verb + ing 

​

Example:

• Would you mind telling me a little bit more about the benefits of this company?

• Would you mind going over the savings plan again?

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Informal

• Sure.

• No problem.

• Let me see.

Replying to a Request for Information

If you would like to provide information when asked for information, start your reply with one of the following phrases.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

More Formal

• I'd be happy to answer that.

• I should be able to answer your question.

• It'd be a pleasure to help you.

Saying No

If you do not have the answer to a request for information, use one of the phrases below to indicate that you are unable to answer the question. Saying 'no,' is never fun, but sometimes it's necessary. Instead, it's common to offer a suggestion as to where someone might find the information.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Saying No

Informal

• Sorry, I can't help you out.

• Sorry, but I don't know that.

• That's beyond me, sorry.

• More Formal

• I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question.

• I'd like to help you. Unfortunately, I don't have that information / don't know.

Asking and Giving Information

10th Grade | Ms. Febrina

Self-Reflection

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• Information

• Asking Information

• Giving Information

• Asking and Giving Information

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