Learn How to Offer Help in English

Teaching ESL
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By
Kenneth Beare
Kenneth Beare
English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert
  • TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London
  • M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music
  • B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music
Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience.
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Updated on January 26, 2019

There are a number of formulas used when offering help in English. Here are some of the most common:

  • May I help you?
  • Can I help you?
  • Are you looking for something?
  • Would you like some help?
  • Do you need some help?
  • What can I do for you today?

After you study these constructions, take the offering help quiz to check your understanding.

Construction

Formula Verb Form

May I help you?

Use 'May I' or 'Can I' the base form of the verb in a statement.

Are you looking for something?

Use 'Are you looking for' something OR anything in particular OR specific object

Would you like some help?

Use 'Would you like' some help OR some advice OR a recommendation

Do you need some help?

Use 'Do you need' some help OR some advice OR a recommendation

What can I do for you today?

Use 'What can I do for' you, her, him, etc. today OR this morning, this afternoon, this evening
Format
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Your Citation
Beare, Kenneth. "Learn How to Offer Help in English." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/how-to-offer-help-1211127. Beare, Kenneth. (2020, August 26). Learn How to Offer Help in English. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-offer-help-1211127 Beare, Kenneth. "Learn How to Offer Help in English." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-offer-help-1211127 (accessed June 5, 2023).