Communicative functions: Interacting with others

Asking people to do things

Making requests

When we ask people to do things, we use a Command or a Request. When we give Commands, we usually use imperative clauses. An imperative clause is a very direct and abrupt way to ask someone to do something and sounds like an order. When we respond to an imperative clause, we usually use a formulaic expression or we just do the action without saying anything. If we don't want to do the action, we can ignore the Command, or we can respond by saying: No, I won't.

Come here at once! - Yes Sir!

Usually we ask people to do things in a more polite way by making a Request. There are different ways to make a Request:

	Add please to the imperative: Please help us!
	Change the imperative to a yes/no interrogative with a modal verb: Can you help us please? Could you help us please? Would you help us please?
	Begin with a thinking clause and a modal verb: Would you mind helping us please?
	Use a declarative clause with a modal or a future verb: We need your help. You are going to help us, aren't you?
	Use a declarative clause with a thinking clause: I wonder if you could help us please. I was wondering if you could help us.

Here is a Request made by one child to another asking for a sweet:

	Can I have one please?
	Here you are.

We often make Requests when we are shopping:

		Can I get this please?
		Yes of course

We also often telephone people to make Requests:

OK then ... Oh and could you ask them to bring their swimming costumes because we might go swimming after bowling.

  

Hello, my name is Mrs Young ...
	Hello
I've got a problem with my computer
	Yes, I see ...
... and I was wondering if you could send someone round to fix it.
	Of course, I'll send someone right away.

Sometimes we make a Request very indirect by hiding it in a Statement using a declarative clause. Here is a hidden Request which may be interpreted as asking someone to make the room cooler:

It's very hot in here, isn't it?

Here is another example of a Request hidden inside a declarative clause:

Hello. I've got something wrong with my computer and I have no idea how to fix it.

For more information about making requests, see: 

Text types: Texts for social interaction: Overview: Keeping the interaction going
Text types: Texts for social interaction: Shopping
Grammar: Clause: Using clauses to interact: Making Commands

Teaching activities

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in making requests, see: Have you got any apples? Let's stay friends