When you ask for things, it is important to be polite. The intonation that you use in making your request is as important as what you actually say. When you think someone will refuse your request, you can ask the question in such a way that the refusal does not cause embarrassment.
当你请求得到某物时，礼貌是很重要的。请求时使用的语气和你要说的内容一样重要。当你认为别人会拒绝你的请求时，你可以用一种不会因为拒绝而引起尴尬的方式问问题。
1. A: Is there any chance of my borrowing your type-writer?
B: For how long?
A: Until the end of the week.
B: Yes, I guess that would be all right.
A: 我可以借你的打字机一用吗？
B: 用多久呢？
A: 用到这个星期结束。
B: 可以，我想应该没问题。
2. A: Would you mind if I borrowed your car?
B: Well, when exactly?
A: Until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
B: I'm sorry, but it's just not possible.
A: 你介意我借用你的车吗？
B: 用到什么时候呢？
A: 到下周一或下周二。
B: 不好意思，应该不行。
3. A: Do you think you could lend me some of your records?
B: Until when?
A: Oh, just over the holidays.
B: I'm not sure. I'll have to think about it.
A: 你可以借给我一些唱片吗？
B: 借到什么时候?
A: 噢，只是在假期期间。
B: 我不确定，我还要考虑一下。
4. A: I was wondering if you'd let me stay with you for a few days.
B: It really depends on when.
A: Until next weekend, if that's OK.
B: Let me think it over, and I'll let you know later.
A: 不知道你能否让我在你这里住几天？
B: 这取决于你什么时候在我这里住。
A: 如果可以，住到下个星期。
B: 让我想一下，会稍后再告诉你。
