Business English from All Ears English

BE 484: How to Ask for Help at Work in English

16 snips
Oct 30, 2025
Discover the art of asking for help at work! Learn how 'Would you mind' can make your requests sound polite and professional. Find out how to casually say 'Could you give me a hand?' for team tasks. Explore non-urgent ways to ask, like 'when you get a chance.' Dive into indirect requests that maintain diplomacy in the workplace. Enjoy a fun role-play showcasing these phrases while planning an event. Plus, understand how word choice can shape perceptions in remote communication!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ADVICE

Use 'Would You Mind' Correctly

  • Use polite request formulas like "Would you mind + verb-ing" to ask for help at work.
  • Include the -ing form after "would you mind" and follow with the specific task.
ADVICE

Ask Casually With 'Give Me A Hand'

  • Use casual phrases like "Could you give me a hand with X?" for friendly, informal requests.
  • Reserve this when you have a collegial relationship and the task is not highly urgent.
ADVICE

Soften Requests With Timing Language

  • Soften requests with timing phrases like "When you get a chance, can you..." to respect colleagues' time.
  • Do not use this phrasing for urgent tasks; specify urgency when needed.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app