Asking someone to do something while remaining polite is tricky. Perhaps you’re stuck trying to figure out how to word your request.
“Could you please” is a good start, but there are some great options out there that might work for you.
This article will explore the best synonyms for politely asking someone for something. That way, you can ensure you include the best alternative before asking for help.
Other Ways to Say “Could You Please”
- I would be grateful if you would
- Do you mind
- If you don’t mind
- Would it be possible to
- I would be obliged to you if
- I would be indebted to you if
- Please could you
- It would be appreciated if
- I know you’re busy, but could you
- If you have spare time
- I could really do with some assistance
- May I ask you if
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Could you please” is great formally, though it is slightly overused.
- “I would be grateful if you would” is a fantastic professional alternative.
- Try using “do you mind” if you want to sound more conversational.
Keep reading to learn more about how to say “could you please” professionally and conversationally. We’ve included sections about both to help you.
Also, you can go to the final section to learn more about “could you please.” We’ve explained whether it’s correct and how you can use it.
I Would Be Grateful if You Would (Formal)
“I would be grateful if you would” is a great formal synonym for “could you please.” It’s very professional and polite, showing that you’d be indebted to someone if they could help you.
It also doesn’t put too much pressure on the person you ask. Instead, it shows that you would be “grateful,” but you would also understand if they are too busy to help you.
Try using this phrase when emailing your boss to ask for their time. Since most bosses are quite busy, it makes sense to be respectful of their time when drafting a business email to them.
“I would be grateful if you would” is a fantastic alternative, meaning you can use it in the same situations as “could you please.” Both are effective formal phrases, making you sound polite in your writing.
Why not check out these examples to give you a hand:
Dear Mrs. Smith,
I would be grateful if you would review some of the files I sent to you. Is there anything else you need from me?
Yours,
Rachael
I would be grateful if you would give me some indication as to why you did this. What do you have to say?
Do You Mind (Informal)
“Do you mind” is a great informal alternative to check whether someone can help you. It is respectful of their time while also sounding friendly in how you ask the question.
You should try it when messaging colleagues to help you with a task. It shows you respect that they might be busy, but you could really do with their help.
It doesn’t take anything for granted, either. Instead, it shows that you don’t expect a “yes” from them. That way, they might be more inclined to be honest with you and say “no” if they’re too busy.
“Do you mind” isn’t very effective in formal emails, though. You should stick with “could you please” to sound professional and polite when addressing people in more professional contexts.
Here are some examples to help you:
Do you mind lending a hand with this? I know you’re busy, but I could certainly do with your skills.
So, do you mind helping me at those times? I don’t imagine it’ll take too long!
Is It Correct to Say “Could You Please”?
“Could you please” is correct and formal. Some would argue that it’s overused when asking someone for their help. However, it’s still an effective phrase that shows you want someone to help you.
You might use different variations of the phrase, such as:
- Would you please
- Can you please
- Could you kindly
Although, there are some subtle differences between them that you need to know about.
Firstly, “would you please” is not asking for permission. Instead, “would” shows you expect someone to do a task for you. It’s more commanding. For instance:
- Question: Could you please complete this task?
- Command: Would you please complete this task?
“Can you please” is synonymous with “could you please.” Some say that “can” is more informal than “could,” though.
- Formal: Could you please get around to this?
- Informal: Can you please give me a hand?
Finally, “could you kindly” is a more respectful way to ask for someone’s help. It’s identical to “could you please,” but it sounds more polite.
- Could you please help me?
- Could you kindly help me?
You should bookmark this page to ensure you’re never caught out again! That way, you’ll always have something to say instead of “could you please,” giving you plenty more options!