Pragmatics: Making Requests

 

 

1.

When native English speakers make requests, they do so differently depending on the situation. One straight-forward way to classify requests is on level of formality. Read the following requests and, with a partner, identify who might make these requests to whom and how formal they are. Organize your findings into the table provided.

 

1.      Give me your address.

2.      Do you think you can manage it?

3.      Could you possibly have lunch with him today?

4.      May I add a caution on this particular point?

5.      You gonna give me a drink, fella?

6.      I wonder if one of you gentlemen could drive me back to town

7.      I should be obliged if you could make other arrangements for your daughter.

8.      Give generously when you buy candy today for the Brain Research Foundation.

9.      Give me a coke!

10.  I’ll take an order of fries.

 

 

2.

Click here to complete a multiple-choice task that asks you to consider requests and choose the request that you find most appropriate. There are responses to every choice. Read them all for clarification.

 

3.

Go to a public place (the mall, cafeteria, library, etc) and record requests that you hear. Consider the relationship between the two parties and how that changes the formality of the request. Jot down your findings to share with your class on Monday.

 

4. Read the following situations and write requests for each situation.

 

a)     You are at your favorite store in the mall in line to return a pair of jeans that you bought the previous week. The jeans didn’t fit and you want a refund.

 

b)    Your best friend borrowed your favorite cd a month ago and still hasn’t returned it. You are in her car and notice that it is in her glove box. You ask for it back.

 

 

c)     You are applying to graduate school and need a letter of recommendation from a former professor. You visit your  

     professor to ask him to write the  letter for you.