Can you help me?

English course · A2 · Elementary · 6 short videos

Goal — I can say what I can and can't do, and ask for help politely.

Grammar — can / can't (ability), Can you…? / Could you…? (requests), Can I…?

Words — help, find, room, upstairs, library, cook, buy, borrow, lend, umbrella, of course, sure

The videos of this unit

Lost at university.

Mia Excuse me, could you help me?

Priya Of course. What's the problem?

Mia I can't find room twelve.

Priya It's upstairs, next to the library.

Mia Thanks! Can I walk with you?

Priya Sure. I'm going there too. I'm your teacher!

Useful expression Could you help me? — A polite way to ask a stranger for help.

Leo has a big problem tonight.

Leo Can you cook?

Zoe A little. Why?

Leo My parents are coming tonight. And I can't cook at all.

Zoe OK, I can help. Can you buy the food?

Leo Yes! You're the best.

Useful expression I can't cook at all. — Use “not at all” to say “zero”.

Need something for a moment?

Word borrow /ˈbɒrəʊ/ — To take something and give it back later.

Stop saying “Can you borrow me your pen?”

Common mistake ~~Can you borrow me your pen?~~ → Can you lend me your pen? / Can I borrow your pen?

Why: You borrow from someone. Someone lends to you.

Yes or no? Listen carefully.

Word can /kən/ / can't /kɑːnt/

Astuce (can) : “can” is short and weak: “k'n”. “can't” is long and strong, and you can hear the “t”.

Polite requests quiz: 4 questions!