People often ask for favors. And if someone asks you for a favor, you might want to think of a way to reply without necessarily binding yourself to doing the favor before you know what it is. This article will provide you with several phrases that you can use to reply.
The preferred replies are “what can I help you with?”, “sure thing, what is it?” and “I’m afraid I’m really busy at the moment”. These are the main three types of replies you can use (noncommittal, positive, and negative) and they will be very useful because of that.
What Can I Help You With?
“What can I help you with” is a great reply to use because you’re not binding yourself to either agreeing or disagreeing right off the bat. You’re asking the person to elaborate on what they want to ask you about.
When you say “what can I help you with”, you’re being friendly and positive without outright saying that you will do the favor in question.
This gives you some wiggle room to decide whether or not you want to do the person a favor once you have heard the actual favor itself.
Here are a few example uses of “what can I help you with?” so you can know how to use it:
- HI! Do you think you could help me out with a favor?
- What can I help you with?
- Sorry to bother you. I need some help with a favor, and you’re the person to ask.
- What can I help you with?
Perhaps, What Is It?
If you don’t want to sound too casual, but also not too formal, “perhaps, what is it?” strikes a good balance between the two tones. Using it, you can open up the possibility of you helping out, but you make it clear that, for now, it’s just a possibility.
The fact that you’re using “perhaps” means that, using a vaguely formal and polite term, you’re establishing that there is a chance you can in fact help out with the issue.
However, it also makes it clear that you will not commit yourself to doing the favor until you know exactly what it entails, which is why the second half of the phrase is so valuable.
Here’s a couple of phrases that you could reasonably reply to with “perhaps, what is it?”:
- Could you help me out with an assignment for school?
- Perhaps, what is it?
- Hey, could I get your help with some computer stuff later today?
- Perhaps, what is it?
If I Can, Sure
A very interesting and useful phrase you could incorporate into your daily life is “if I can, sure”. The true power of this phrase lays in the fact that you’re outright stating that you want to help, but you will only help if it’s possible for you to do so.
Using “if I can, sure” you’re leaving yourself some space to deny the favor if you think you won’t actually be able to help out, while also being polite and kind.
“If I can, sure” is a great phrase precisely because once you use it, the person will think of you as someone who wants to help, no matter the actual outcome.
Here are some example conversations so you can see the correct way to use “if I can, sure”:
- Hey I’ve got a huge favor to ask for. Could you help me out?
- If I can, sure.
- Do you think you could help me out with a development in my thesis project?
- If I can, sure.
Sure Thing, What Is It?
When you use “sure thing, what is it?” you’ll be making it clear that, no matter what the favor is, you will help with it. It’s an immediately affirmative way to respond to someone’s request for help, and when you use it, the other party will appreciate you for it.
“Sure thing, what is it?” is a great phrase to use because you’re displaying a tremendous amount of loyalty and friendship towards the person asking for the favor.
By agreeing first and asking questions later, you’re showcasing your willingness to help, and you’re being kind and warm while doing so.
Here are some examples of the ways in which you could use this phrase:
- Hey I have an important favor to ask for, and I thought that you may be able to help.
- Sure thing, what is it?
- Hi! I must ask for your help with a very important favor that I need to get done.
- Sure thing, what is it?
Yes, What Do You Need?
“Yes, what do you need” is a particularly direct and useful way to reply to someone asking for a favor. By using this phrase, you’re allowing no confusion about what you’re saying: You are agreeing to the favor, and then asking what the person needs done.
This format of “agreeing and then asking the question” is very popular for when you want to agree to a favor before knowing what it is. This particular expression is very simple and clean.
Some people might not like the idea of agreeing to a favor before you actually know what it’s about, but if the person has your trust, then it will probably work out well.
Here’s some examples that showcase how to use “Yes, what do you need?” in conversation:
- Hi, I’m messaging you because I need your help urgently.
- Yes, what do you need?
- Hello! Could I bother you for a quick moment for a favor that I need?
- Yes, what do you need?
I’d Be Happy To Help
“I’d be happy to help” is perhaps one of the warmest and most likable ways in which you could reply to a request for a favor. When you use this phrase, you’re not even asking what the favor is. Agreeing right out of the gate is bold and kind.
A great thing about “I’d be happy to help” is that it’s perfect for using in a formal context, such as a work conversation, but you could also use it in a conversation with a friend.
After you’ve used “I’d be happy to help”, the receiver will be pleased to know that they can count for your help, no matter what the actual problem is.
Here’s a couple of conversations to exemplify how to use “I’d be happy to help” properly:
- Greetings. I need some help sorting out an issue with the file system. Could you help me?
- I’d be happy to help.
- Hello! I’m messaging you this early in the morning because I need a huge favor.
- I’d be happy to help.
I’m Afraid I’m Really Busy At The Moment
Denying favors can be really hard. “I’m afraid I’m really busy at the moment” is a great way to deny someone’s request for a favor, because it’s not unfriendly, and provides a more than reasonable explanation for the lack of help that you’re providing.
Most people would only request for a favor if the person has the time to provide it. By stating that you’re really busy, you’re letting the person know that you don’t have time to help.
Furthermore, the fact that you begin the phrase with “I’m afraid” signals that you’re saddened by the fact that you cannot help, and would’ve liked to do so if you had the time.
Here’s some examples to help you understand how you can use this phrase correctly:
- Hey, could you come over to help me set up some electronics?
- I’m afraid I’m really busy at the moment.
- Hello. I would like to request your assistance in filling out a tax form.
- I’m afraid I’m really busy at the moment.
I Don’t Think I’ve Got The Time
Another good sentence you can use to politely deny someone’s request for a favor is “I don’t think I’ve got the time”. By using this sentence, you’re making it clear that you are currently too busy to entertain this favor, or that at least you think you’re too busy.
This sentence could be taken as rude if you were to simply say “I have not got the time” to help with the favor. However, using “I don’t think” softens that particular blow.
You can also add a time qualifier, such as “I don’t think I’ve got the time today” or “this week”, to open up the possibility of helping out later.
Here are some examples of how you could use this phrase in a conversation:
- Do you think you could come over this week and tutor me again?
- I don’t think I’ve got the time.
- Hey, could you help me settle a debate I’m having with a friend?
- I don’t think I’ve got the time.
Right Now I Don’t Think I Can
“Right now I don’t think I can” is a great phrase to use when you want to politely let down someone’s request for a favor. This particular phrase places emphasis on “right now”, which can help you deny a favor and leave the door open to help later.
This phrase is also fairly direct and straightforward. Many times people will ask for a favor by saying “Can you-”, so this phrase replies “I don’t think I can”.
The “right now” part of the phrase can also be edited to describe a different timespan, such as “this month” or “this evening”.
Here are some example conversations that will show you the proper use of “right now I don’t think I can”:
- Hey, can you come help me right now with a huge favor?
- Right now I don’t think I can.
- Are you busy right now? I need help with a project. Could you come over?
- Right now I don’t think I can.