Hook

You’re at a café. How do you ask for something politely, without just saying “Give me a coffee”? English has a simple, polite pattern for this.

Notice

Look at these polite requests:

  • I’d like a coffee, please.
  • I’d like some water, please.
  • Would you like some tea?
  • Could I have the menu, please?

Rule

I’d like = I would like (a polite way to say “I want”).

Structure: I’d like + a/an/some + noun

  • I’d like a sandwich. (one countable item)
  • I’d like some soup. (uncountable, or plural)

Would you like…? is how we offer something politely.

  • Would you like some coffee? — Yes, please. / No, thank you.

Could I have…? is another polite way to ask for something.

Practice

  1. Complete: I ___ like a glass of water, please. (Answer: ‘d / would)
  2. Complete: ___ you like some cake? (Answer: Would)
  3. Make polite: “Give me the bill.” (Answer: Could I have the bill, please?)
  4. Make polite: “I want a tea.” (Answer: I’d like a tea, please.)
  5. Choose a/some: I’d like ___ apple. (Answer: an)
  6. Choose a/some: I’d like ___ rice. (Answer: some)
  7. Respond to an offer: Would you like some juice? Yes, ___. (Answer: please)
  8. Respond to an offer (decline): Would you like some cake? No, ___ ___. (Answer: thank you)

Connect

Practice polite phrases with our Vocabulary lessons — covering “please” and “polite” related words and phrases.

Try the Vocabulary Lessons →

CEFR A1: Spoken Interaction — can make simple requests and ask for things politely in shops and cafes.

Azizul Hakim
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