Polite Requests

A2 · ElementaryImperatives

Please close the door. Close the door, would you? Two simple ways to take the edge off an imperative and make it sound like a request.

What you'll learn

'Please' can go at the start (warmer, friendlier) or the end (still polite, slightly more direct) of a command
'Please' goes right before the verb at the start, or right after the whole command at the end — never in the middle
A question tag — would you? / will you? / could you? — attached to the end of a bare command softens it into more of a request
For a full polite question instead of a softened command (Could you help me?, Would you mind closing the door?), see Requests, Offers and Suggestions

Two ways to soften a command

A bare imperative can sound blunt on its own. Two simple additions soften it into a polite request without changing it into a full question: adding 'please', or attaching a question tag at the end.

"Please close the door."

"Close the door, would you?"

Where 'please' goes

'Please' at the start of a command tends to sound warmer and friendlier. 'Please' at the end is still polite, but can sound a little more direct or businesslike.

"Please take a seat. (warm)"

"Take a seat, please. (still polite, more direct)"

Softening with a question tag

Attaching would you?, will you?, or could you? to the end of a bare command turns it into more of a request — it invites the listener to agree rather than just telling them what to do.

"Pass the salt, would you?"

"Turn the music down, will you?"

Real English

"Please turn off your phone."

"Pass the menu, would you?"

"Close the window, please."

"Wait a moment, could you?"

Watch out

✗Close please the door.

✓Please close the door. / Close the door, please.

'Please' goes right at the start of the command, or right at the end — never in the middle, splitting the verb from its object.

✗Pass the salt, would you do?

✓Pass the salt, would you?

The question tag is just 'would you?' — the main verb doesn't repeat inside the tag.

✗Turn the music down, you will?

✓Turn the music down, will you?

In the tag, the auxiliary comes before the subject — 'will you?', not 'you will?'

Real life — In a shared office

"It's a bit loud in here. Turn it down, will you?"

"Sorry about that — sure, no problem."

"Thanks. And please close the door on your way out, if you don't mind."

"Of course."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct softened request

Choose the correct softened request.

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct softened request

Choose the correct softened request.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct softened request

Choose the correct softened request.

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 7 · Choose the friendlier, more polite version

Choose the friendlier, more polite version.

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct softened request

Choose the correct softened request.

Exercise 9 · Add 'please' to soften the command

Add 'please' to soften this command, at the start: 'Turn off the lights.'

Exercise 10 · Add a tag question to soften the command

Add a tag question to soften this command: 'Close the window.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

Please sit down.

Sit down, would you?

Please don't shout.

Turn it down, will you?

Please wait here.

Pass me that, could you?

0 / 6 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

'Please' at the start sounds warmer; at the end, still polite but more direct.
'Please' goes right before the verb, or right after the command — never in the middle.
A question tag (would you? / will you? / could you?) attached to a bare command softens it into a request.
For a full polite question instead (Could you...?, Would you mind...?), see Requests, Offers and Suggestions.

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