Grammar for Block 3-1 VTC LAN 6030

VE & CS

Direct and Indirect Requests

Very often in the workplace, we make requests such as asking for help or
information from others.
To make direct and indirect requests correctly, we have to note the positions
of the subject and verb.

Study the following examples.

Direct Requests

1. Can I leave a message?

2. How do you spell this word?

3. Can you open the door for me?

4. Could you answer my phone calls for the next hour?

5. Can you speak a little more slowly?

Indirect Requests (Begin with an introductory phrase)

1. I wonder if I can leave a message.

(“can leave” comes after the subject “I”)

2. I would like to know how you spell this word.

(“spell” comes after the subject “you”)

3. I wonder if you can open the door for me.

(“can open” comes after the subject “you”)

4. I’d like to know if you could answer my phone calls for the next hour.
(“could answer” comes after the subject “you”)

5. I wonder if you can speak a little more slowly.

(“can speak” comes after the subject “you”)

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 1 of 2

Grammar for Block 3-1 VTC LAN 6030
VE & CS

Practice

You are making a phone call to Ms Mary Chan of ABC Company. She is not in
the company and someone else answers the phone. You want to get the
following information:

Where is she?
When will she be back?
Is she free on Monday?
How long has she been out?
How can I contact her?
Can I leave a message?

Complete the conversation below. Change the six direct requests into indirect
requests.

1. A: Do you know
_________________________________________?
B: Sorry, I've got no idea.
2. A: Never mind. I don't think you know _______________________.
B: No, I am afraid not.
3. A: Well. Can you tell me _________________________________?
B: I'm sorry. I don’t know.
4. A: By the way, could I know _______________________________?
B: How can I know?
5. A: Oh! Do you have any idea _____________________________?
B: Sorry, I really don’t know.
6. A: Well, I wonder ________________________________________.
B: You can call back later.
7. A: OK. Thank you very much, goodbye.
B: Goodbye.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 2 of 2