Talking about favours

    One phrase I often hear Japanese students of English use is "I have a favour." The first time I heard this phrase I was a little confused. Later I realised that the student was translating the Japanese expression, onegai ga aru （お願いがある）.

    Onegai ga aru is an exanple of one of the dangers of direct translation. Yes, it's true that onegai can ge translated as favour. It's also true that ga aru can sometimes be translated as have. However, when we ask someone to help us, we do NOT say I have a favour.

    Note:
    British English: favour; American English: favor.
    (British/American differences also apply to words like colour/colour; honour/honor; neighbour/neighbor).

    How to ask for a favour in English

    The two verbs which most often collocate with favour are do and ask. Two of the most common phrases we can use if we want someobody's help are:
    •   Could you do me a favour?
    •  I'd like to ask you a favour.

    Although we don't say I have a favour, we can say this:
    •   I have a favour to ask you.

    A simple dialogue

(George and Frank are neighbours)

    George: Hi, Frank.
    Frank:   Hi, George. How are things?
    George: Oh, pretty good. Erm... Listen... I was wondering... Could you do me a small   
                favour?
    Frank:   Sure. What is it?
    George:  Well, Susan's borrowed the car for the afternoon and I need someone to give  
                 me a lift into town. Would you mind?
    Frank:   No problem. What time do you need to go?
    George: Oh, any time is OK.
    Frank:   OK. Just give me 5 minutes and then I'll get the car out.
    George: Thanks, Frank. I really appreciate it.

    Note:
    Notice that George begins his request by saying "Erm... Listen... I was wondering..." This type of hesitation is common when making polite requests.

    Exercise

    Below are some situations where people are asking for favours. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate form of do or ask. Then click onto the link at the bottom to check your answers.

    1. I wonder if you'd mind ______ me a small favour and taking the dog for a walk.
    2. I need to ______ you a favour. Could you mind the baby for half an hour while I go out?
    3. You couldn't ______ me a favour and record the football match for me, could you?
    4. I have a small favour to ______ you. Could you lend me 10,000 yen until tomorrow. I've forgotten my wallet.

    When you've finished the exercise, please click here for the answers.
    Click below if you want to try some of my other one-point lessons:
    Bob's One-Point Weekly Lesson Archive

    © Robert E. Jones, 2006 (revised, 2008)