Elementary (Level 5-6)

Declining others’ requests

What do people say to decline others’ requests?

• I’m afraid I can’t …

• I wish I could, but …

• I’m sorry, but ...

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Why do people reject others’ requests? Tick the suitable reasons.

- They are busy.

- They want to help.

- They don’t have the ability.

- They think they can do things alone.

- They have enough time.

- They don’t want to.

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We can’t do everything alone. Sometimes, we need other people’s help.

It’s normal to make and receive requests. Making a request is easier than

declining one. Learn how to politely decline requests in this lesson.

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Mandy: Lucy, could I borrow your English book?

Lucy: I'm afraid you can't, Mandy.

Mandy : Oh, I see.

Lucy: I really wish I could lend it to you, but I'm using it right now.
Maybe you could borrow Stella’s. She is not using her book.

Questions:
1. What is Mandy borrowing?
2. Why can’t Lucy lend it to Mandy?
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Andy: Steve, could you help me with my report?

Steve: I’d like to, but I need to finish my report, too.

Andy: Oh, all right.

Steve: I'd really love to help you, though.

I’ll help you as soon as I finish mine.

Questions:

1. What does Andy need help with?

2. Why can’t Steve help Andy?
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Fill in the blanks using the words in the box.

Sam: _____ you help me with something?

Meredith: I'm _____, but that's not _____.

Sam : Are you _____?

Meredith: I'd _____ to help you, but I _____ to finish

some work.
need could love
Sam: Oh, I see.
busy possible sorry
Meredith: Henry is not doing anything. You can ask him.

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Complete the conversation below. Choose the best response from the box.

Lisa: Could I borrow your laptop?

Scott: [No. I need to use mine. / I’d like to lend it to you, but I need to work on my project.]
Lisa: I will only use it for thirty minutes.
Scott: [I’m really sorry, but that’s not possible. / No, please go away.]
Lisa: Okay. Thank you.
Scott: [You can borrow Susan’s since she’s not using hers / Don’t come back here!]
Complete these new expressions to reject requests.

• I’m sorry, I can’t …

• I’d love to help you, but right now …

• Normally I’d be able to, but …

• Well, the problem is …

• Well, I’m afraid …

• Sorry, but I cannot …

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Choose from the cards below, and make a conversation with your teacher.

Role Card 1 Role Card 2

Your friend is organizing a party and she Your friend is borrowing some money to

wants you to help her. You can’t help buy something. You don’t have enough
because you are busy. How would you money. How would you tell your friend?
decline your friend’s request?

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One of your friends wants you to help him write an essay.
You are not good at writing. Tell your friend you can’t
help him.

Hint:

Politely decline his request. Explain your reason. Suggest

someone who can help him.

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You can use these expressions to decline others’ requests.

• I’m afraid I can’t help you with your homework.

• I wish I could go with you, but I need to finish my report.
• I’m sorry, but lending you this book is not possible right
now.
• I’d love to lend you my laptop, but I need to use it right now.
• I’d like to go with you, but my mother wants me to go home
early.
• Well, the problem is I’m not good at writing essays.

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