RRealTalkBridge
Menu

Learn

Watch & Learn

Learning Paths

English for Daily LifeEnglish for Social ConnectionEnglish for Work

VOA English

Words and Their Stories

Tutors

Book a 1:1 lesson

YouTube Teachers

English Teacher

Ariannita la GringaEnglish with EvieSpeak Confident EnglishSpeak English With Vanessa

Bilingual Teacher

Kristin 英语老师Leah's Diary 莉雅老师Teacher Mike 麦克老师
BlogMy Learning

More

Explore

All Expressions

Start From English

Everyday ExpressionsBusiness ExpressionsAmerican Idioms in Context
English for Chinese Speakers

Learn through Mandarin

Mandarin Learning TrackChinese Concepts → Natural EnglishChinese Idioms → Natural American English

Compare communication

American Small TalkCulture BridgePractice with context
About RTB
Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Relationships & Dating

Speak English Politely: I'd Appreciate it

Download my free e-book: "5 Steps To Becoming A Confident English Speaker" http://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.com/ebook

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa teaches a polite request pattern: “I'd appreciate it if you'd…” The expression lets a speaker ask someone to do something while showing gratitude in advance. She gives everyday examples, such as asking someone to make dinner, bring water, or call a client. The form can be used at work, with friends, with a teacher, or in many other situations.

She breaks the expression into two parts. The first is “I would appreciate it,” often contracted to “I'd appreciate it.” The second is “if you would” followed by the requested action. For example: “I'd appreciate it if you would make dinner tonight.” In this pattern, would appears twice: first in the polite appreciation phrase and again in the request clause. The second would can also be contracted: “I'd appreciate it if you'd help me.”

Vanessa explains that the structure is a polite way to ask someone to do something. It can be used for ordinary favors or a larger request, such as asking a friend to help move boxes. A speaker can add context—“I'm moving next weekend” or “I can't do it by myself”—to explain why the help is needed. This softens the request while making the situation clear. In pronunciation, the contraction you'd is spoken quickly, so Vanessa models saying the expression naturally and invites viewers to repeat it.

The lesson emphasizes practice: understanding the expression is only the first step; learners need to use it themselves. Vanessa asks viewers what they would like her to do and provides examples such as making more videos or answering a question. A learner can adapt the same frame to a realistic request, for example, “I'd appreciate it if you'd send me the notes.” The pattern is polite and useful, but the request should still be clear, and the listener should have a reasonable opportunity to respond.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English04:36

0 qualified plays 0 unique learners 0.0 hours watched 0 completed

How we count

Only playback on RealTalkBridge counts. A random first-party identifier deduplicates returning visitors; no IP address is stored. Country labels appear only when at least five distinct learners are represented.

Transcript

1 / 9

Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Vanessa introduces I'd appreciate it as a polite phrase that works in many situations.

Hi, I'm Vanessa from Speak English with Vanessa. if you'd watch this video. Let's get started. Today I'd like to share a really polite expression that you can use in almost any situation: at your job, with your friends or teacher, in writing, or in speech. It's a useful polite expression. What's the expression? It is “I'd appreciate it.”

Try it: Where does Vanessa say this expression can be used?

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

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

12 phrases

Showing 12 of 12 phrases

I'd appreciate it

Vanessa introduces I'd appreciate it as a polite phrase that works in many situations. · expression

A polite way to say you would be grateful for something.

Tone and use: Polite and appreciative. Use it before or after describing a favor you would value.

May not fit: For a simple thank-you after help, say I appreciate it; I'd signals a hypothetical or anticipated favor.

Example“I'd appreciate it if you could send me the schedule.”

I would appreciate it if you would make dinner tonight

She gives sample requests involving dinner, water, and calling a client. · expression

A polite request for someone to prepare dinner, with gratitude expressed in advance.

Tone and use: Polite and direct. Use I'd appreciate it if + subject + would + base verb to make a courteous request.

May not fit: For urgent needs, state the request clearly rather than relying only on a softened phrase.

Example“I'd appreciate it if you would review this document today.”

let's link that together

Vanessa explains the first part of the phrase and shows that it can stand on its own. · expression

Join separate parts so they form a complete idea or expression.

Tone and use: Instructional and clear. Use it when combining components you have just explained separately.

May not fit: Name the parts first if your listener may not know what “that” refers to.

Example“Let's link that together: “I'd appreciate it if...””

I would appreciate it

Vanessa explains the first part of the phrase and shows that it can stand on its own. · expression

The uncontracted form that says you would be grateful for something.

Tone and use: Polite and slightly more formal than I'd appreciate it. Use it before a request or as a response to a proposed favor.

May not fit: The pronoun it refers to the favor or action being discussed.

Example“I would appreciate it if you could call me tomorrow.”

do something for me

The second part uses if you would plus an action, with would appearing twice in the full form. · expression

Carry out an action that helps or benefits the speaker.

Tone and use: Neutral; the surrounding phrase can make it more polite. Use do something for me when naming a favor or task.

May not fit: Be specific about the action when the listener needs details.

Example“Could you do something for me and pick up the package?”

I'd really appreciate it if you'd come to help me

She applies the phrase to a larger favor: helping her move boxes next weekend. · expression

A warm, polite request for someone to come and provide help.

Tone and use: Sincere and appreciative. Use really to add emphasis when the favor matters to you.

May not fit: Explain the task too, so the person knows what help you need.

Example“I'd really appreciate it if you'd come to help me set up the room.”

I can't do it by myself

She applies the phrase to a larger favor: helping her move boxes next weekend. · expression

I am unable to complete the task alone and need assistance.

Tone and use: Direct but not rude. Use by myself to mean without help from another person.

May not fit: If you only prefer help rather than need it, say I'd like some help.

Example“I can't do it by myself; could you help me carry the table?”

you'd help me

Vanessa models saying the phrase quickly and naturally, including the contraction you'd. · expression

You would help me; you'd is a contraction of you would here.

Tone and use: Polite request. Use you'd + base verb in the if-clause of this polite request pattern.

May not fit: You'd can also mean you had in other sentence structures; context determines the meaning.

Example“I'd appreciate it if you'd send me the address.”

you need to use it

She says the expression has been practised, but learners need to use it themselves. · expression

You should practise the expression in your own speaking or writing.

Tone and use: Direct encouragement. Use need to + base verb to stress a necessary next step.

May not fit: Need to is stronger than might want to; use the softer phrase if it's optional.

Example“You need to use the new phrase in a sentence to remember it.”

what would you like me to do

She invites viewers to request something from her and share their own questions in the comments. · expression

Asks someone to name an action they want you to take.

Tone and use: Open and helpful. Use would like to ask politely about someone's preference or request.

May not fit: Add a specific context if the listener may not know what options are available.

Example“What would you like me to do to help with the event?”

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to say

She invites viewers to request something from her and share their own questions in the comments. · expression

A warm way to say you anticipate hearing someone's response.

Tone and use: Polite and encouraging. Use look forward to + noun or -ing form for something you anticipate.

May not fit: After to, use a noun or gerund.

Example“I'm looking forward to seeing what you think.”

be sure to download

The remaining captions promote Vanessa's e-book and sign-off. · expression

Remember or make certain to download something.

Tone and use: Direct reminder. Use be sure to + base verb as a reminder.

May not fit: It is a reminder, not a guarantee.

Example“Be sure to download the worksheet before class.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

1 / 6

Use it in a sentence · “I would appreciate it if you would make dinner tonight”

Which sentence uses Vanessa's polite request pattern naturally?