New here? This is lesson 31 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Can you help me in English
Ana is at the Blue Plate with the menu. Dee is already pouring coffee, and Ana needs a little help.
Murray sits on two stools with a coffee he has not finished. He may speak before she is done.
By the end, you'll ask for help and thank someone for it.
Help, please is short and polite. Can you help me asks a person. Then you thank them.
By the end of this lesson
Ask for help and thank people for it.
- Help, please.a polite way to ask for help
- Can you help me?Please give me some help
- I need help.I cannot do this alone
- Can you help me with ___?Please help me with this thing
- Who can help me?Which person can assist me?
- Thanks for your help.you say this after someone helps you
Scene — she holds the menu
Same diner on Larch Street. Ana stands at the counter with the menu in her hands. Dee is already pouring coffee.
Murray sits on two stools at the end of the counter. His black coffee is still full. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
Learn — ask for help
Six short lines cover how to ask for help and how to thank someone.
You will also learn how to name the thing you need help with.
Help, please.
a polite way to ask for help
When to use it: Say this when you want someone to help you.
Learn it as one piece at the counter.
Say it: The stress is on Help.
Can you help me?
Please give me some help
When to use it: Ask this when you want that person to help.
Learn it as one piece when you ask a person.
Say it: Can is short and weak here.
I need help.
I cannot do this alone
When to use it: Say this when you cannot do a thing alone.
Learn it as one piece when you cannot do it alone.
Can you help me with ___?
Please help me with this thing
When to use it: Ask this when you name the thing you need help with.
Learn it as one piece, then name the thing.
Who can help me?
Which person can assist me?
When to use it: Ask this when you do not know which person can help.
Learn it as one piece when you look for a person.
Thanks for your help.
you say this after someone helps you
When to use it: Say this after someone helps you.
Learn it as one piece after someone helps you.
Story — he already knows
Watch Ana ask for help with the menu. Murray speaks before Dee can answer.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Ana holds the menu. Dee is already pouring coffee.
DeeHave a seat, hon.please sit down
AnaExcuse me. Help, please.She wants Dee to look, then she asks for help.- Ana holds the menu up toward Dee.
- AnaCan you help me with the menu?Please help me with this thing
- Murray speaks before Dee can open her mouth.
MurrayWell, two eggs over easy.He tells her the food she will want.- AnaWho can help me?Which person can assist me?
- DeeMe, hon.Dee says she is the person who can help.
- AnaI need help.I cannot do this alone
- DeeIt's just the menu, hon.The menu is a small thing. She is kind about it.
- AnaCan you help me?Please give me some help
- DeeEggs and coffee, sweetie.She tells Ana the order.
- AnaThanks for your help.you say this after someone helps you
Practice — ask and thank
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and swap a word.
They stay short, so you can move on.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
Help, please.Drop the Simple English hereCan you help me?Drop the Simple English hereWho can help me?Drop the Simple English hereThanks for your help.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Dee and Murray are both at the counter. You do not know which person can help.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Can you help me?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I cannot do this alone
I ____ help.
Build the line
Build the line
you say this after someone helps you
.
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You want Dee to help you with a thing. Use the line with a blank.
Swap the word
Swap the word
Change Will to the first word in 'Can you help me?'
____ you help me?
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks someone to sit down.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Dee is pouring coffee. She has not looked at you yet. Get her to look.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
you say this when someone helps you
____ you.
Say it — say it at the counter
Now you're Ana at the counter with the menu. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- DeeHave a seat, hon.please sit down
- Ana (you)Ask for help in a short, polite way.
Ask for help in a short, polite way.
Help, please.
a polite way to ask for help
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Help, please. | a polite way to ask for help | |
| Can you help me? | Please give me some help | |
| I need help. | I cannot do this alone | |
| Can you help me with ___? | Please help me with this thing | |
| Who can help me? | Which person can assist me? | |
| Thanks for your help. | you say this after someone helps you |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these help lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your help lines ready for the counter.
Open Yak Cards