Grammar Workshop
Business English
Requesting, Offering & Complaining — expressions and exercises from easy to advanced
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Useful ExpressionsFormal Requests — Emails / Meetings
Could you please+ verb…?Would you mind+ verb + -ing…?- I would appreciate it if you could…
May I ask you to…?Would it be possible to…?- Could you clarify…?
- Could you provide more details about…?
Semi-Formal Requests — Colleagues
Can you send me…?- Could you help me with…?
- Do you mind if I…?
- Is it okay if I…?
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Exercises – RequestingEasyExercise 1 – Multiple Choice
Choose the correct option for each sentence.
1. ______ you send me the updated report?
2. I would appreciate it if you ______ clarify this point.
3. Would you mind ______ the client?
IntermediateExercise 2 – Rewrite More Politely
Rewrite each blunt sentence as a polite business request.
Send me the contract.
Your polite version:
Explain this problem.
Your polite version:
Give me the sales figures.
Your polite version:
Suggested Answers
1. Could you please send me the contract?
2. Could you explain this problem, please?
3. Would you mind giving me the sales figures?
SpeakingExercise 3 – Role Play
Practise making polite requests in a business scenario.
🎮 Scenario: Budget Approval
You need the budget approval urgently. Use polite request language.
Student A: Project Manager
Student B: Finance Officer
Student A must make 3 polite requests.
Model Answers
1. Could you approve the budget today?
2. Would it be possible to review the proposal now?
3. I would appreciate it if you could confirm the payment schedule.
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Useful ExpressionsFormal Offers
Would you like me to…?Shall I…?- I can help you with…
- Let me handle this.
- I’d be happy to…
May I assist you with…?
In Meetings
- I can take care of that.
- I’ll follow up on this.
- Let me check and get back to you.
- Would you like some support with that?
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Exercises – OfferingEasyExercise 1 – Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence with the correct word.
1.
I help you with the presentation?
2.
I’d be happy
assist you.
3.
Let me
care of this issue.
IntermediateExercise 2 – Choose the Best Response
Select the most appropriate professional response.
1. “I’m having trouble with the software.”
2. “We need someone to contact the supplier.”
SpeakingExercise 3 – Meeting Simulation
Practise offering help and taking responsibility in a team meeting.
🎮 Scenario: Overloaded Team
Your team has too much work. Step up and offer help or take on tasks.
Each student must:
- Offer help to one colleague
- Offer to take responsibility for one task
Sample Answers
1. I can prepare the PowerPoint slides.
2. Would you like me to contact the client?
3. I’ll take responsibility for the report.
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Useful ExpressionsPolite Complaints — Professional Tone
- I’m afraid there seems to be a problem with…
- There appears to be an issue regarding…
- I’m not satisfied with…
- Unfortunately, the product/service does not meet our expectations.
- We were expecting…, but…
- I would like to raise a concern about…
Stronger — Still Professional
- This is unacceptable.
- We need this resolved immediately.
- This delay has caused significant inconvenience.
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Exercises – ComplainingEasyExercise 1 – Match the Complaint
Match each sentence beginning (1–3) to its correct ending (a–c).
Sentence beginnings
1. There seems to be a problem with…
2. We were expecting delivery yesterday, but…
3. I’m afraid I’m not satisfied with…
Endings
a) the quality of the product.
b) it has not arrived yet.
c) the invoice amount.
1.
There seems to be a problem with…
2.
We were expecting delivery yesterday, but…
3.
I’m afraid I’m not satisfied with…
IntermediateExercise 2 – Make the Complaint More Professional
Rewrite each blunt statement using appropriate business language.
This is bad service.
Your professional version:
You delivered late.
Your professional version:
The product is broken.
Your professional version:
Suggested Answers
1. Unfortunately, we are not satisfied with the service provided.
2. We were expecting the delivery yesterday, but it has not arrived yet.
3. There appears to be a defect in the product delivered.
AdvancedExercise 3 – Advanced Role Play
Use all three complaining skills: polite complaint, impact, and request for solution.
🎮 Scenario: Defective Shipment
A supplier delivered defective products and caused a production delay.
Student A: Company Manager
Student B: Supplier Representative
Student A must:
- Complain politely about the defective products
- Explain the impact on production
- Request an immediate solution
Example Answer
I’m afraid there seems to be a problem with the last shipment. Several items are defective.
This delay has affected our production schedule significantly.
We would appreciate it if you could replace the products immediately.
AdvancedClassify the Sentence
For each sentence, select whether it is a Request (R), Offer (O), or Complaint (C).
1.
Would you like me to prepare the minutes?
2.
There seems to be an error in the invoice.
3.
Could you send me the updated file?
4.
I’ll take care of the client meeting.