Variations on polite requests using conditionals, modals

and fixed phrases

1. Were you to take a step back for a moment, I think it might help you to see
what the problem was. (Second conditional with inversion, plus an idiomatic
expression)
2. If you happen to see John, could you tell him about the meeting. (When you
are really not sure about the likelihood, or a polite request)
3. If by any chance you have the time, could you have a quick look over this for
me. (Allows the other person to feel that they can refuse, but normally not
allowing them to by making it non-critical or time dependent You can miss out
“by any chance” for a slightly more direct, but still polite, request)
4. I don’t suppose I could ask you to pass the sugar, could I? (Very polite request
using a question tag with high rising tone. Without the rising tone this is really
sarcastic and quite rude.)
5. If/When you have a spare minute, could you… (a good way to remind
someone about something they have forgotten to do)
6. If you could just hold the line, I’ll have a quick check for you. (“If you can/could”
are always soft ways of telling people what to do)
7. If you’re not too busy, can I just ask you a quick question? (you can rarely if
ever say no to this, that would be unbelievably rude)
8. If it’s not out of your way, could you pop into the office on the way back. (no
question mark, as this is a rhetorical request, not a question)
9. I don’t want to put you to any inconvenience, but… (…I’m going to ask you to
do something that’s good for me and not for you. However, using the polite
introductory phrase in which you acknowledge that this is a big thing to be
asking makes it more acceptable and harder to refuse.)
10. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I ask whether… (Using would with
if to ask about/for something that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise—unless
you are Dutch)
11. If it’s not too much trouble, can you put the caps back on the pens after
you’ve used them, thanks. (passive/aggressive with dropping end tone)
12. I don’t want to put you out of your way, but… (Idiomatic expression to
soften the request)
13. I can see that you are busy, so can I just… (Just and only are two of the
most evil words in the English lexicon as they try to hide the fact that people
are asking for a lot, but trying to pretend it’s nothing e.g. can you just have a
quick glance at this document and tell me if it’s okay, cheers!)