Learn how to make an offer or request and respond to it formally and informally. Also show how to express apology and gratitude in formal and informal setup. Learn how to respond offer, request, apology and gratitude.

1. Business English
Offer, Request, Gratitude, Apology
by
Ash Vyas

2. Offer
Making an offer means offering a help / something.
How to make an offer?
Most commonly used phrases to make an offer are:
Can I …..?
Shall I …….?
Would you like me to……..?

3. Informal Style: Examples of Making an offer
•Can I help you?
•Do you want something?
•Fancy cup of tea?
•Coffee?

4. Formal Style: Examples of Making an offer
Shall I open the window for you?
Shall I get you something to drink?
Would you like me to call him?
Would you care for a cup of tea?
Can I get you some juice?
Can I do something for you?
May I help you with this?

5. Responding the offer: Acceptance in Informal
style:
Yeah/yes/yup
Coffee would be great.
I’d love that.
Get me tea instead.

6. Responding the offer: Acceptance in Formal
style:
Yes, please. That would be very kind of you.
Yes, please. That would be nice / great.
Thank you. That would be great.
Yes, I would like to have a coffee, please.

7. Responding the offer: Rejection in Informal style:
No/Neah/Nop. Thanks.
No need to bother.
No need.

8. Responding the offer: Rejection in Formal style:
No, thanks you. I am fine.
Thanks for asking, but I don't need anything.
It's OK, I can do it.
Don't worry, I'll do it.
Thanks, but I'll help myself.

9. Notes:
•Shall, can and will are followed by the verb without to.
Example:
"Can I help you?"
"Shall I bring you the record file?
•Shall is more formal than can.

10. Notes:
•Would you like… is followed either by a noun, or by the verb with to.
Examples:
"Would you like some coffee?”
"Would you like to drink some water?

11. Making a Request
Making a request means asking someone to do something for you.
Most commonly used phrases to make a request are:
Can I ...
Could I ......
Do you mind .....
Would you mind ........

12. Informal Style: Examples of Making Request
May I have the salt?
May you switch on the fan please?
Open the cupboard, will you?

13. Formal Style: Examples of Making Request
May I / Could I have the salt please?
Would you kindly pass the salt, please?
Could you switch on the fan please?
Would you mind opening the door?
Do you think you could come in ten minutes early tomorrow, before the
presentation?

14. Responding the Request: Acceptance in informal
style:
Sure.
Here you go.
Sure I can/will.

15. Responding the Request: Acceptance in Formal
style:
Of course, here you go/here it is.
Certainly. I’d be glad/happy/delighted to do that.

16. Responding the Request: Rejection in Informal
style:
Sorry I can’t
Sorry I won’t be able to.

17. Responding the Request: Rejection in Formal
style:
Apologies. I wouldn’t be able to help you at the moment.
Excuse me. I can’t help with this.
Pardon me. I can’t.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to help with this.

18. Notes
•"Would you mind..." is followed by a gerund.
• “Do you mind if..." is followed by the verb in the present tense, but would you
mind if... is followed by the verb in the past tense.
•Could is more polite than can.

19. Notes
Be careful about answering a negative question starts with would/do you mind….
Example:
Would you mind giving me your book?
Can be
"No, I don't mind."(which is a positive response to the request. It means that I accept to lend you my book)
or "Yes." (which is a negative response to the request. It means that I don't want to
lend you my book.)

20. Example Conversation: Making a Request
John and Sandra are a couple on holiday in Paris and John goes up to a stranger:
John : ‘Excuse me, sorry to bother you, would you mind taking our picture?’
Stranger : ‘No not at all. Where would you like to stand?’
Sandra : ‘Here’s fine. In front of the Eifel Tower.’
Stranger : ‘Great, say cheese.’

21. Showing Gratitude: Informal Style
Ta
Tks
10x
Thanks

22. Showing Gratitude: Formal Style
Thank you.
I (really) appreciate it.
Thank you for your time / help.
I can’t thank you enough.

23. Respond to an expression of gratitude: Informal
NP.
No problem.
Any time.

24. Respond to an expression of Gratitude: Formal
You’re welcome.
That’s okay. No problem.
Mention not.
It’s my pleasure.

25. Apologizing: Informal
Sorry!
I’m sorry.

26. Apologizing: Formal
I am really sorry.
I apologize for…
Please accept my apology for …..
Excuse me for …..
Pardon me for …..

27. Responding to the Apology: Informal
(Acceptance)
That’s ok.
No worries.
Never mind

28. Responding to the Apology: Formal (Acceptance)
That's all right.
I quite understand.
Don't worry about it. It's okay.
That's fine. Please, be careful next time.

29. Conversation Example 1:
A: Would you like me to help you on your new project?
B: I would love the help! Would you prefer helping with the writing part or is programming more your
thing?
A: I would enjoy helping with the writing portion.
B: Perfect! You'll be working alone on that portion. Do you like to work alone?
A: That is OK sometimes.
B: Our first meeting is next Monday. Could you meet with us at that time?
A: No, I can't be there.
B: Please send me your background information before the meeting so I can look at it.
A: I can send that information to you.
B: OK. I look forward to working with you. Enjoy your week!

30. Conversation Example 2:
A: Could I help you on your new project?
B: I have a need for help with writing and also a need for help with the computer work. Which
would you prefer?
A: I want to help with both.
B: That would be wonderful. Sometimes we will be working together and sometimes
independently. Would that be OK?
A: Most of the time that is what I prefer.
B: We start on Monday. Can you be there?
A: I am not sure yet.
B: I need your background information before the meeting.
A: I will do that.
B: I'll enjoy working with you. Have a great day!

31. Apologizing Examples:
A: I hope you'll forgive me for being late. I had a flat tire.
B: That's quite all right/I understand completely. It can happen to anyone.
A: Please accept my apologies for the mistakes in the report. I forgot to check it.
B: You don't need/have to apologize. But next time, try to concentrate better.
A: I (would like to) apologize for shouting at you yesterday. I lost control of myself.
B: Don't worry about it. I just hope you'll keep your temper from now on.
A: Excuse me! I didn't realize this was your seat/newspaper.
B: That's OK. I'm leaving anyway/I've finished reading it.

32. Gratitude Examples:
A: Thank you so much for your directions. You've been a tremendous help.
B: It was my pleasure.
A: Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me. I hope it wasn't too much of a bother.
B: Not at all. It was the least I could do.
A: Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.
B: You're welcome. Good luck.
A: Thanks a million!
B: Forget it/Don't worry about it.

33. Any Questions?
Connect with me:
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