4.239 giving instructions and making requests

Instead of beginning a question with 'can' or 'could' when you are making a request, you can begin it with 'is' and the impersonal pronoun 'it'. After 'it', you put an expression such as 'all right' and either a 'to'-infinitive clause or an 'if'-clause.

• Is it all right for him to come in and sit and read his paper?
• Is it okay if we have lunch here?

4.240

You can use 'want' instead of 'would like' to give an instruction or make a request. 'Want' is more direct and less polite than 'would like'.

• I want you to turn to the front of the atlas.
• I want to know what you think about this.
• I want to have this pellet taken out.

'Wanted' is also sometimes used. It is more polite than 'want'.

• I wanted to ask, Mr Nicholson, what was the effect of that newsreel on you?
• Good morning, I wanted to book a holiday in the South of France.