Do you ever need to ask for help or a favour in English? Can you respond politely when someone asks you for help?
In this lesson, you’ll learn helpful English phrases to:
- Ask for help and favours politely
- Respond helpfully and clearly
- Use expressions that sound natural and friendly
First, we’ll listen to a short conversation between two friends. After that, we’ll look at the key expressions and patterns.
Contents
Asking for and giving help: example dialogue
This short conversation shows two friends using natural English to ask for and offer help.
Ben meets Jim, who needs help getting home because of a flat tyre. Jim uses polite phrases to ask for a lift, and Ben agrees.
Listen
Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions that follow. Then review the phrase breakdown.
Dialogue transcript
Read the full conversation below. These are real-life English phrases you can use to ask for or offer help.
Ben: Hey Jim! How you doing? Everything OK?
Jim: Hi Ben, well actually, I’m having a spot of bother, as it happens. I was just wondering if I could ask a massive favour.
Ben: Sure! What’s up?
Jim: Well, I just got out of the train, and I was about to get on my bike and ride home, erm, but I’ve just noticed that one of my tyres is flat.
Ben: Oh no! Nightmare!
Jim: So, would you be able to give me a lift, by any chance?
Ben: Sure, where are you again?
Jim: At the station, mate.
Ben: Er, hang on. I’m not sure where that is. And the screen’s broken on my phone so I can’t check. Can you maybe give me some directions, or something?
Phrase guide: asking for and giving help
Here’s a breakdown of the phrases from the dialogue.
Asking for help politely
These phrases are used to make polite requests or ask favours.
- I was just wondering if I could ask a massive favour.
- Would you be able to give me a lift?
You can also say:
- Could you possibly help me out?
- Could you give me a hand (with something)?
- Could I borrow you for a sec?
Saying you need help
These phrases express that you’re having difficulty and need support.
- I’m having a spot of bother.
- I’ve just noticed that one of my tyres is flat.
You can also say:
- I really need a hand with this.
- I was wondering if you could possibly lend me a hand.
Yes, I can help you!
These phrases show you are willing to help or need more info.
- Sure! What’s up?
- Sure, where are you again?
- Can you maybe give me some directions, or something?
You can also say:
- Of course, no problem!
- Absolutely!
- Sure, how can I help?
- Yeah, I can do that.
- Just tell me what you need.
I can’t help you!
Sometimes, you can’t help! Here are some phrases for “turning down” requests for help.
If the request for help is right now, you can say:
- I’m really sorry, but I can’t right now.
- I’d love to help, but I’m afraid I’m busy.
If it’s a request for help in the future, you can say:
- I’m afraid that won’t be possible.
- Sorry, I’ve got a lot on at the moment.
- I wish I could, but I’ve got other plans.
- Maybe another time.
These expressions are polite ways to say no without sounding rude.
Example questions
- What’s a polite way to ask someone for a big favour?
- How could you ask someone to help you quickly?
- What can you say if you’re happy to help?
More useful phrases to talk about help and favours
These are extra phrases that are not in the dialogue, but are commonly used in English when asking for help.
Extra expressions
| Phrase | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Could you do me a favour? | Can you help me with something? |
| I really need a hand with this. | I need help. |
| Could I ask you a huge favour? | Can I ask you to do something big for me? |
| Would you mind helping me out? | Can you help me, please? |
| Could you possibly give me a lift? | Can you drive me somewhere? |
Pattern focus: polite requests
Many English phrases for asking help use polite indirect question forms. These sound softer and more friendly.
Instead of saying “Help me!”, people often say:
- Would you be able to help me?
- Could you give me a hand?
- I was wondering if I could ask a favour.
These structures are more polite because they show respect and don’t sound like demands. They use modal verbs like would, could, and might.
Common structures:
- Would you be able to + verb → Would you be able to pick me up?
- Could you possibly + verb → Could you possibly give me a lift?
- I was wondering if I could + verb → I was wondering if I could borrow your charger.
These forms are especially useful when speaking to colleagues, neighbours, or people you don’t know well.
Exercises
Practise what you’ve learned with these simple activities.
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Could you give me a hand?
- I was wondering if I could ask a favour.
- I really need a hand.
- Would you be able to give me a lift?
- Could you possibly help me out?
a. Can you help me, please?
b. Can you carry or do something with me?
c. Can you drive me somewhere?
d. I need your help.
e. Can I ask you for help?
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: Could you help me with this box?
- A: I was wondering if you could do me a big favour.
- A: I need a hand moving house.
a. Sure! What do you need?
b. Of course – when are you moving?
c. Yeah, no worries. Let’s lift it together.
3. Finish the sentence (speaking practice)
Complete the sentence, then try saying it aloud.
- Could you possibly..
- I was just wondering if..
- Would you be able to..
Answer key
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Could you give me a hand? → b. Can you carry or do something with me?
- I was wondering if I could ask a favour. → e. Can I ask you for help?
- I really need a hand. → d. I need your help.
- Would you be able to give me a lift? → c. Can you drive me somewhere?
- Could you possibly help me out? → a. Can you help me, please?
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: Could you help me with this box? → c. Yeah, no worries. Let’s lift it together.
- A: I was wondering if you could do me a big favour. → a. Sure! What do you need?
- A: I need a hand moving house. → b. Of course – when are you moving?
3. Finish the sentence (possible examples)
- Could you possibly give me a hand with this suitcase?
- I was just wondering if you could lend me your charger.
- Would you be able to drop me off at the station?
