English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate » Unit 66: Requests, permission and suggestions

Word List
  • Could you (possibly) …?
  • fancy (doing) sth
  • How about …? [making a suggestion]
  • I don’t fancy that
  • I don’t mind
  • I was wondering if you could …
  • I wonder if you could …
  • I’d rather …
  • I’m afraid I can’t
  • if you like
  • no problem
  • of course
  • permission
  • polite
  • reply n, v
  • request n
  • shall we …?
  • suggestion
  • sure
  • that’s a great idea
  • we could …
  • Why don’t we …?
Exercises

66.1 ‣ Match 1–6 with a–f.

  1. Could you close the door?
  2. May I close the window? _____
  3. We could go to the cinema. _____
  4. Yeah, great idea. _____
  5. I wonder if you could close the door? _____
  6. I don’t fancy that. _____
  1. a) a suggestion
  2. b) a negative reply
  3. c) a request
  4. d) asking for permission
  5. e) a positive reply
  6. f) a polite request

66.2 ‣ Complete the dialogues with one word. Contractions (e.g. don’t)count as one word.

  1. A: What you like to do this weekend?
    B: I don’t _____. You decide.
  2. A: Could you _____ open that window? It’s very hot in here.
    B: Yes, of _____.
  3. A: I was _____ if you could give me a lift to Luke’s this evening.
    B: Sure, no _____.
  4. A: What do you _____ doing this evening?
    B: I don’t _____. Any ideas?
    A: Why _____ we go to the cinema? We haven’t been for ages.
    B: Yeah, that’s a great _____.
  5. A: Do you _____ if I use your phone?
    B: No, go _____.
  6. A: OK. Where _____ we go on Saturday?
    B: How _____ going to the beach if the weather’s nice?
    A: Yeah. Or we _____ try that new sports centre just outside town.
    B: Mmm. I think I’d _____ go to the beach.
    A: Yes, OK, if you _____.

66.3 ‣ Reply to the questions. Try to give a different answer each time.

  1. Could I borrow your pen for a minute?
  2. Could you possibly post a letter for me?
    _____
  3. I was wondering if you’ve got a suitcase you could lend me?
    _____
  4. Do you mind if I take this chair?
    _____
  5. I’ve got some tickets for a concert. Do you fancy going?
    _____
  6. How about going to a football match at the weekend?
    _____
  7. Why don’t we meet this afternoon and practise our English?
    _____
Answer Key
A ‣ Requests and replies

A: Could you pass the salt?
B: Sure. / No problem.

A: Could you possibly help me?
B: Yes, of course.

A: Naomi, I wonder if you could help me?
B: Sure.

A: I was wondering if you could lend me some money until tomorrow.
B: No, I’m afraid I can’t. [I’m sorry but I can’t.]

Language help

As the requests become bigger it is normal to use longer phrases which sound more polite.

B ‣ Asking permission and replies

A: Could I possibly have a look at your magazine?
B: Yes, help yourself.

A: May / Could I open the window?
B: Sure, go ahead.

A: Do you mind if I watch TV?
B: No, go ahead.

Language help

When we answer go ahead or help yourself, we are giving someone permission to do the thing they have asked.

C ‣ Suggestions and replies

We could try that new restaurant.

What shall we do tonight?

Let’s go to the café in the square.

How about going to a club?

I don’t mind. You choose.

Why don’t we go and see a film?

Do you fancy listening to some music? [do you want to; infml]

We can reply with different answers, from positive to negative.

Yeah, (that’s a) great idea.
That sounds good.

Yes, if you like.
Yeah, I don’t mind.

No, I don’t fancy that.
Mm, I’d rather do something else. [I would prefer to do something else.]

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