Politeness in Requests and Language

This video tutorial by Andrew from Crown Academy of English focuses on making polite requests and questions. It emphasizes the importance of politeness when asking for help and provides various structures to achieve this. The tutorial covers using phrases like 'Could you', 'Would you mind', 'I wonder if you could', and negative statements with question tags. It also explains how to make polite requests in written English, particularly in formal emails and letters. The video aims to teach viewers how to use language that is less direct and more courteous.

Why is it important to be indirect when making a request?

• To show authority

• To ensure the request is understood

• To make the request more urgent

• To avoid offending the person being asked

What is a characteristic of a direct request?

• It is always followed by 'please'

• It uses complex language

• It is often seen as rude

• It is polite and well-received

Which phrase is more polite than 'Pass me the salt'?

• Give me the salt

• Could you pass me the salt?

• Salt, please

• I want the salt

How can you make 'Could you carry my bags?' even more polite?

• By saying it faster

• By using a louder voice

• By adding 'please' at the end

• By adding 'now' at the end

What verb form follows 'Would you mind'?

• Ing form

• Past tense

• Future tense

• Base form

Why do we say 'some advice' instead of 'some advices'?

• Advice is a countable noun

• Advice is a verb

• Advice is an uncountable noun

• Advice is always plural

What does 'I wonder if you could' imply?

• A rhetorical question

• An urgent request

• A polite and indirect request

• A direct command

How does a question tag affect a statement?

• It turns it into a question

• It makes it more aggressive

• It makes it a command

• It adds a condition

Which phrase is suitable for a formal email request?

• Report, please

• Send me the report

• I would be grateful if you could send the report

• I want the report