We’re not putting pressure on the other person to help us; we’re simply asking whether they can help and what they’ll do about it if they’re able to. The only reason we don’t think it’s the preferred version is that “help” is a less polite word than “assist” (though both are overall very polite). When you use this phrase, you’re expecting help out of the kindness of the recipient’s heart rather than telling them that they “need” to help you. It’s much better to use words like “hoping” in this case. “I’m hoping you can assist me” is a way to encourage someone to help you as politely as possible. “Hoping” means you desire help from the recipient of the email, though you don’t outright expect it from them.

  • This could also mean that you are in need of more physical connection.
  • The key is to keep showing up and spending time around the same people; eventually those people will start to feel more like friends.
  • If you found this article helpful, share it with someone who would also benefit from it.
  • By the way, there are some interesting differences between the words “advice” and “tips” when used in actual scenarios.

However, it’s still an effective phrase that shows you want someone to help you. I know you’re busy, but I could certainly do with your skills. Keep reading to learn more about how to say “could you please” professionally and conversationally. Although it is human nature and in the English language to soften our words with adverbs in order to appear more polite, it’s up to you how you would like to use it.

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Do you feel like you need help and don’t know where to turn? “I have an issue that you may be able to help me with” is a long-winded phrase, but it works well in professional formats. It sets up an issue that you need urgent help with, but using “may” means you how nonqualified deferred compensation nqdc plans work understand if it’s not possible for the recipient to help. ✉️ Does knowing the benefits of asking for help in a professional setting make you any more likely to do so? Which of the phrases we listed will you use the next time you require assistance at work?

Welcome to Advanced English where we come together to improve your fluency, confidence, and clarity in English! Mary Daphne here and today we’re covering ten different ways of making polite requests and a non-pushy, non-aggressive way of asking someone to do something. I understand your situation, but is there any way you could complete the task by the end of the day Tuesday? The research team is expecting to receive your initial report by Wednesday morning. “Could you” is also polite, but it’s not quite as effective. For example, if we’re asking them to help us with something, they might need a specific skill.

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Below are some ideas of steps you can take to find help. You could also rate each area of your life on a scale from 1 to 10 to see which are lowest for you and potentially causing you to feel as though you need help. Below are some potential causes of feeling as though you need help. If you can get clear about the emotions you are experiencing, then it will be easier to explain to others what you are going through.

Please Help Me Understand

If you struggle with your mental health, one of the best things that you can do is to practice healthy habits. These are things that help both your physical and mental health, and help to regulate your brain chemistry to keep you feeling good. Below are some ideas of healthy habits that you could start to practice. Below are some ideas of things you could do as a distraction or for enjoyment.

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If you don’t have anyone close to you that will lend a listening ear or if you’re not ready to talk to anyone, you could consider using a listening service such as 7 Cups. While the listeners on the other end are not professionals, they are trained to listen and respond in a way that helps you to work through your frustrations and problems. Keep writing until you dig deep enough to get at the emotions that you are experiencing or how you have been feeling about what’s going on. Once you have a better idea of your emotions, you’ll be able to describe them to someone else when you ask for help. Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business.

“I’m hoping you can assist me” (or “I am” if you want to remove the contraction) is a great way to start. If you’ve never had to ask for help in a professional environment, you may not be aware that there are certain phrases you can use to accomplish your goal. Ultimately, becoming someone who is willing to assist others and who knows how to ask for help politely in a message or an email is bound to rub off on other people at work. If you want to know how to ask for help politely in a message or an email, there are several tips you should keep in mind. That’s one of the questions we’re going to answer in this article.

Now idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs like the examples in this lesson are a little tricky but try to focus on these ones this week. There are a few modal verbs that are really helpful when asking for help. Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, and asking for assistance. This phrase allows you to tentatively check whether the issue you are facing can be resolved by a member of the company’s customer service team. In business-related contexts, things can get out of hand when one doesn’t have good skills in making polite requests, especially in email correspondence. “Do you mind” is a great informal alternative to check whether someone can help you.

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If depression is part of what is causing you pain, then sticking to a regular schedule as much as possible will be helpful. If your need for help is combined with a feeling of anxiety and panic, then you’ll want to do things to help calm yourself down. Ideas include practicing deep breathing from your diaphragm, making yourself a cup of chamomile tea, and listening to a relaxation meditation recording. For example, if you react to anxious feelings this often creates more anxiety than if you simply rode out the anxiety like a wave reaching shore.

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