The Secret to Getting People to Say YES!

In life, we all need to ask others to do things for us. Whether at work, home, or school, we hope that when we make a request, people will say yes! The way to get a positive result more often is to combine the language of polite requests with the psychology of effective requests.

This document will show you how to make successful requests. It includes:

• English expressions to make polite requests
• psychological techniques to make effective requests
• 3 levels of requests
• 3 factors that determine how to make a request
• examples of informal, formal, and very formal requests
• the secret word and technique of getting people to say yes

Language of Polite Requests

Factors Affecting Requests

The language we use when making requests is based on three factors:

Levels Affecting Request

If we are making a small request, our language can be direct, informal and short.

If the request is medium-sized, the language we use should be polite, formal and long.

If we need to make a large request, it is better to use very polite, very formal, and very long/lengthy language. This is summarized below.

Examples of Polite Language Requests

You can use the requests above confidently whenever you are communicating in English. However, if you want to increase your chances of getting a positive response to your requests, you need to use a secret strategy! Read on to learn what happens when you combine the right language with the right psychology.

Psychology of Effective Requests

The Secret Word to Get a Yes!

Researchers have found that by using the word “because” or giving people a reason for our request, we greatly increase our chances of getting a positive response – a yes. They found this to be true even if the reason that was given was not particularly good! Note the difference in the same examples given above when we add a reason.

Examples of polite language requests + effective psychology requests

Conclusion

Did you notice how much more effective our requests become when we give a reason? In the situations above, did you feel more likely to say “yes” when the word “because” was used or when a reason was given? What you experienced is what happens to most other people, too!

So remember: When you need to ask someone for something, use the right language and the right psychology for the best results.

Language of Polite Requests

• Small – Direct, Informal, Short
• Can I…
• Is it okay if I…
• Can you…
• Medium – Polite, Formal, Standard
• May I please…
• Could I please…
• Would it be all right if I…
• Would you mind if I…
• Do you think I could…
• Could you please…
• Would you please…
• I’d appreciate it if you could…
• Large – Very Polite, Very Formal, Very Long
• Do you think it would be possible for me to…
• Do you think it would be at all possible…
• I hope you don’t mind my asking but would it be possible to…
• I hope you don’t mind my asking but do you think it might be at all possible for me/you/him/her/us/them to…

Practice

Make the following requests, using the right language and giving a reason.

Sample Answers

1. Could you please send that email to ABC Company as soon as possible? I need them to get it before they close down for the day in Japan.
2. Hey, can you grab a coffee for me? I really need some caffeine!
3. I would appreciate it if you could finish the report by 5:00 pm. We need to get it over to the client for approval before tomorrow’s big meeting.
4. I hope you don’t mind my asking but do you think it might be possible for me to take 3 days off next week? Unfortunately, my mother is unwell and I need to take her to the hospital for a number of tests so they can figure out what is wrong with her.
5. I hope you don’t mind my asking but would it be all right for me to submit my assignment on Monday? I had a terrible case of food poisoning and was unable to get to the library to do any work.
6. Where’s the key, hon? We need to get you to soccer practice.
7. I hope you don’t mind my asking but do you think it might be possible for me to get an advance on my salary? I had some unexpected expenses this month because of my car accident.
8. Hey, man, can you send me your class notes? I couldn’t get up this morning!