Polite requests and indirect questions

Asking directly can sound blunt in English; polite requests and indirect questions soften what you say and make you sound more natural and professional. These lessons practise the structures — ‘Could you…’, ‘Would you mind…’, ‘I was wondering if…’ — through real workplace and social situations.

Polite requests and indirect questions example lessons

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Making complaints (beginner)
A2Practical EnglishVocabularyPolite requests and indirect questions

Making complaints (beginner)

Learn how to politely make complaints in English using practical phrases and the modal verbs 'can' and 'could', based on a real-life article.

Disputing a bill: polite requests and problem-solving
B2Practical EnglishGrammarBusiness

Disputing a bill: polite requests and problem-solving

Gain the confidence and precise language needed to politely query unexpected charges and effectively resolve billing issues, turning frustration into fluent communication.

Making a doctor's appointment: essential phrases and vocabulary
A2Practical EnglishLifestylePolite requests and indirect questions

Making a doctor's appointment: essential phrases and vocabulary

Learn how to confidently make a doctor's appointment and describe your symptoms in English, using polite phrases and essential vocabulary for real-life situations.

Booking a doctor's visit: making simple requests
A1Practical EnglishLifestylePolite requests and indirect questions

Booking a doctor's visit: making simple requests

Learn to confidently make a doctor's appointment in English, using simple requests with 'can' and essential health vocabulary.

Professional emails: writing with clarity and politeness
B2BusinessWorkPractical English

Professional emails: writing with clarity and politeness

Professional emails — a B2 English lesson. Practise polite requests with conditionals and expand vocabulary for business communication.

Job offers: negotiating salary and benefits politely
B2BusinessWorkPractical English

Job offers: negotiating salary and benefits politely

Learn to confidently and politely negotiate job offers, mastering key phrases and indirect questions to secure the best salary and benefits for your career.

Office supplies: making polite requests
B1BusinessPractical EnglishGrammar

Office supplies: making polite requests

Learn to politely request office supplies and communicate professionally with colleagues using essential vocabulary and practical phrases from a real article.

Customer service: using polite language to handle complaints
B1BusinessPractical EnglishGrammar

Customer service: using polite language to handle complaints

Master polite English phrases and modal verbs to confidently handle customer complaints, showing empathy and professionalism in every interaction.

Market research: asking polite and effective questions
B2BusinessPractical EnglishGrammar

Market research: asking polite and effective questions

Learn to ask polite and effective questions in market research, mastering indirect questions and practical phrases to gather honest, valuable feedback for any business.

Office phone calls: speaking clearly and politely
A1BusinessPractical EnglishVocabulary

Office phone calls: speaking clearly and politely

Learn essential phrases to answer and make polite phone calls at work, like 'Can I take a message?' and 'Hold on, please'.

Requesting time off: making polite requests in the workplace
B1BusinessPractical EnglishGrammar

Requesting time off: making polite requests in the workplace

Learn to confidently request time off at work using polite language and key phrases like 'I was hoping to speak with you about taking some time off' and 'to cover for someone'.

Brainstorming sessions: making polite suggestions
B1BusinessPractical EnglishGrammar

Brainstorming sessions: making polite suggestions

Master the art of polite suggestions in brainstorming meetings, learning key phrases and vocabulary to confidently share your ideas and collaborate effectively with colleagues.