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Unit 4: 5 ways to use 'would'
Pronunciation : sound like a native English speaker

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  1. 1Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
  2. 2Reported speech in 90 seconds!
  3. 3If or whether?
  4. 45 ways to use 'would'
  5. 5Let and allow
  6. 6Passive voice
  7. 7Unless
  8. 8Mixed conditionals
  9. 9The zero article - in 90 seconds
  10. 10The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
  11. 11The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
  12. 12The continuous passive
  13. 13Future perfect
  14. 14Need + verb-ing
  15. 15Have something done
  16. 16Wish
  17. 17Word stress
  18. 18Different ways of saying 'if'
  19. 19Passive reporting structures
  20. 20The subjunctive
  21. 21When and if
  22. 22Inversion
  23. 23Phrasal verbs
  24. 24The future
  25. 25Modals in the past
  26. 26Narrative tenses
  27. 27Phrasal verb myths
  28. 28Conditionals review
  29. 29Used to - review
  30. 30Linking words of contrast

Session 4

How to be more polite! Join Helen as she helps another student improve his English.

Wayiitiwwan marii boqonnaa kana keessaa

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Wayitii marii qabxii 4

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Stop saying

Indirect questions

We have a question from Igor from Brazil, who's studying English at Rose of York school in London. He wants to know how to ask questions more politely in English.

Lucky for him, Helen has some tips on this very subject. Watch her video and practise together.

Vidiyoo daawwadhuuti shaakala kana xumuri

Summary

Notice how we use these phrases to make questions more polite:

  • Do you know...
  • Could you tell me...
  • Would you mind...
  • Is there any chance...

1) Direct: Where is the cafe?

Indirect: Do you know where the cafe is?

2) Direct: When will you finish the report?

Indirect: Could you tell me when you'll finish the report?

3) Direct: Where is the toilet?

Indirect: Would you mind telling me where the toilets are?

4) Direct: Can you help me?

Indirect: Is there any chance you could help me with this?

We can also use if and whether, like this:

I wonder if you can help me?

Do you know if there's a bank near here?

Could you tell me whether Mark prefers fish or chicken curry?

To do

Read these five sentences:

1) Where is the hotel?

2) When will the guests arrive?

3) Where is the exit?

4) Can you help me?

5) Is Mike coming? 

Be polite, please!

5 Questions

Can you make polite questions using these words?

Baga gammadde! Qormaata xumurteetta
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
x / y

End of Session 4

In the next session we take a seat in the White Elephant restaurant. Join us for more adventures as we learn some phrases connected to annoyance.

Wiirtuu gadi-buufatan

Qabiyyee koorsiiwwan dhihoo kanaa