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Work & Business

Business English: Asking a Favor [Advanced Professional English]

Practise three tactful ways to get a coworker’s attention, ask for a favor, and give them room to respond when they are available.

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa teaches three ways to get someone’s attention before asking for help in an English-speaking workplace. A coworker may be focused on a project, a manager may be busy at a computer, or a classmate may need to approve something. Rather than interrupting with a blunt command, learners can signal that they have a question, choose a suitable moment, and make the request clearly. The relationship matters: some expressions are better with a boss, while others are more casual with a peer.

The first opener is “Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a quick question?” It politely asks permission to begin. If the other person is busy, they can suggest coming back in a few minutes; if they are available, they may say “Sure, go ahead.” Vanessa notes that the question should genuinely be quick. If the topic needs more discussion, ask when it would be convenient to talk rather than disguising a long meeting as a quick question.

The second expression is “When you have a moment, could you…?” Vanessa uses it to ask someone to look at a report or screen. “If you have a moment” and “If you have a second” are similar alternatives. They are still direct because they introduce the actual task, but they acknowledge the other person’s time. She combines this with the first opener: after the person agrees to a quick question, she asks whether they could take a look at a report.

The third expression is “Can I grab you for a moment?” Here “grab” is figurative: Vanessa means get the person’s attention briefly, not physically grab them. She says it is less formal and works best with a coworker, someone at a similar level, or perhaps a team member who reports to you. It may be too casual for a boss or a highly formal situation. A phrase such as “Could I speak with you for a moment?” is a more neutral alternative.

To practise, choose a realistic request and match the opener to the relationship and urgency. Ask permission for a quick question, use a flexible timing phrase for a task that can wait, or say “Can I grab you for a moment?” with a peer. The goal is to respect the listener’s time while making the request understandable. Vanessa invites learners to write their own examples; the ebook mention at the end is optional channel promotion.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English05:07

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing polite ways to get a colleague’s or manager’s attention.

hi I'm Vanessa from speak englishwith vanessa do you mind if I ask you a quick question let's talk about it today we're going to talk about three ways that you can politely and professionally get someone's attention if you work in an office where you have to use English or you're planning on doing that in the future you're probably going to need to ask people questions and those other people aren't just sitting around waiting for you to ask them questions maybe your coworker is working on a project maybe your team manager is on the computer doing something else how can you politely get their attention and let them know you have a question or you want them to help you with something let's talk about the

Try it: Choose a workplace or school situation where you need someone’s help. Open politely, state the specific request, and choose a timing phrase that fits how urgent it is.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

13 phrases

Showing 13 of 13 phrases

get someone’s attention

Introducing polite ways to get a colleague’s or manager’s attention. · expression

Make someone notice you or become ready to listen.

Tone and use: Neutral phrase used in social and work settings. Use it before speaking when a person is focused on something else.

May not fit: Do it respectfully; avoid interrupting someone in an unsafe or sensitive moment.

Example“I raised my hand to get the instructor’s attention.”

Do you mind if I ask you a quick question?

Using “Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a quick question?” as a low-pressure opener. · expression

Politely ask whether someone is willing to answer a brief question.

Tone and use: Considerate permission question. Use it to open a conversation before asking for information or help.

May not fit: Keep the question brief or ask to schedule more time if it needs a longer discussion.

Example“Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a quick question about the schedule?”

go ahead

Using “Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a quick question?” as a low-pressure opener. · expression

Proceed with the action or say what you were going to say.

Tone and use: Common conversational response. Use it to invite someone to continue after they ask permission.

May not fit: The tone can change the meaning; in a sharp tone it may sound impatient.

Example““Can I ask you something?” “Sure, go ahead.””

need their advice

Setting up a hallway situation where a coworker’s advice or approval is needed. · expression

Want someone to share a suggestion or judgment about a situation.

Tone and use: Common work and everyday phrase. Use it when asking someone for their opinion or recommendation.

May not fit: Explain the issue so the person can give relevant advice.

Example“I need your advice about which option to present.”

approve of something

Setting up a hallway situation where a coworker’s advice or approval is needed. · expression

Agree that an action, plan, or item is acceptable.

Tone and use: Neutral professional phrase. Use it when someone’s agreement is needed before proceeding.

May not fit: Approval processes differ; do not assume silence means approval.

Example“The supervisor needs to approve of the final design.”

When you have a moment

Making a specific request with “When you have a moment” or “If you have a second.” · expression

At a convenient time when the person is briefly available.

Tone and use: Polite, flexible opener. Use it before a request that does not need an immediate response.

May not fit: If it is urgent, state the deadline rather than implying flexibility.

Example“When you have a moment, could you review this page?”

take a look at my screen

Making a specific request with “When you have a moment” or “If you have a second.” · expression

Look at what is currently displayed on my screen.

Tone and use: Natural workplace request. Use it when asking someone to inspect visible information on a device.

May not fit: Avoid displaying confidential information to someone who should not see it.

Example“Could you take a look at my screen and check the chart?”

If you have a second

Making a specific request with “When you have a moment” or “If you have a second.” · expression

If you have a brief amount of available time.

Tone and use: Casual and polite timing phrase. Use it before a short request when the other person may be busy.

May not fit: Do not minimize a task that will actually take much longer.

Example“If you have a second, could you confirm the room number?”

take a look at this report

Combining the opener with a request to review a report. · expression

Review or inspect the report.

Tone and use: Common workplace request. Use it when asking someone to examine a document or report.

May not fit: Say what kind of review you need if the task is more specific.

Example“Could you take a look at this report before the meeting?”

someone who works under you

Choosing “Can I grab you for a moment?” with a peer or team member. · expression

A person who reports to you in a workplace hierarchy.

Tone and use: Neutral description of a reporting relationship. Use it when talking about a direct report or subordinate role.

May not fit: In direct conversation, “someone on your team” may sound more collaborative.

Example“She manages a team of five people who work under her.”

grab you for a second

Explaining that “grab” means get someone’s attention, not physically take hold of them. · expression

Ask for someone’s attention briefly; “grab” is figurative here.

Tone and use: Informal workplace expression. Use it with a colleague or peer when you need a short conversation.

May not fit: It is less formal and may not fit every workplace relationship.

Example“Can I grab you for a second after the call?”

can I have your attention

Explaining that “grab” means get someone’s attention, not physically take hold of them. · expression

Ask someone to focus on what you are about to say.

Tone and use: Neutral direct request. Use it when you need someone to listen for a short time.

May not fit: A group setting or clear reason helps this direct phrase sound appropriate.

Example“Can I have your attention for one quick announcement?”

give you some feedback

Inviting learners to practise the attention-getting expressions. · expression

Share comments about someone’s work or performance.

Tone and use: Common professional phrase. Use it when offering observations that may help improve or recognize work.

May not fit: Agree on the kind of feedback and make it specific and respectful.

Example“I can give you some feedback on the draft after lunch.”

Knowledge check

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Use it in a sentence · “Do you mind if I ask you a quick question?”

You need to ask a busy coworker one brief question. Which opener fits?