21
Selling the service (A)
Textbook: pp. 90–93
GoalModal verbs for requests, offers and invitations: Can/Could/Would you...? Shall I...? Would you like...?; service vocabulary.
New words
service · xizmatreservation · bron qilishappointment · uchrashuv, qabulassist · yordam bermoq
Explanation
For requests: Can you help me? (informal), Could you help me? (more polite), Would you mind opening the window? (very polite; followed by the -ing form). For offers: Can I help you? Shall I carry your bag? Would you like some tea? For invitations: Would you like to join us for lunch? Will you come to the opening? Replies: Yes, please. / That would be great. / No, thank you, I can manage. In formal service settings would, could and may are common: May I take your order? Remember please and thank you to keep the tone polite.
Worked examples
Could you tell me the opening hours of the pharmacy, please?
Shall I call a taxi for you, or would you like to wait inside?
Class activity
Service role play: hotel reception, cafe, library; students use polite modals for requests, offers and invitations while an observer rates the tone.
Practice
1
Make it more polite: Give me the menu.
Could you give me the menu, please?
2
Choose request, offer or invitation: Shall I open the door for you?
offer
3
Choose request, offer or invitation: Would you like to come to my birthday party?
invitation
4
Why is “Would you mind to wait?” incorrect?
After Would you mind we use the -ing form: Would you mind waiting?