Persuading someone to do something

In this video, Noelia tries to convince Paul to DJ at the office party. Listen to the language Noelia uses for persuading Paul to do something and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!

Do you know what to say when you want to persuade someone to do something? Listen out for useful language for persuading someone to do something. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Paul: OK. Yeah, all right. I'll send them over tomorrow. OK, yep, bye. People are always asking for favours. Paul, can you do this? Paul, can you do that? 

Noelia: Hey, Paul, have you got a minute?

Paul: Go on, then.

Noelia: I've got a small favour to ask you. 

Paul: Right.

Noelia: So … how would you feel about DJing at the office party next week? 

Paul: Office party? I don't usually do work parties. 

Noelia: Oh, right. So where do you usually DJ then? 

Paul: No, I mean I don't usually go to work parties, let alone DJ at them. 

Noelia: Come on, I think you'd be brilliant at it! 

Paul: Oh, I don't know … 

Noelia: Look, I wouldn't usually ask, but you are the only DJ I know.

Paul: I'm not a very good one though. My music taste is … quite strange. Everyone will probably hate it. 

Noelia: Come on! These guys will dance to anything when they are at a party! Why don't you give it a go? You'll be great!

Paul: Urgh … I think I'm probably busy that day anyway.

Noelia: Come on! There's nothing to lose!

Paul: Except my reputation and credibility …  

Noelia: Paul, you'd really be helping me out. 

Paul: OK, I'll think about it. 

Noelia: Great! Thanks, Paul! 

 

Ana: Hello again! It's very difficult to say no to Noelia! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for persuading someone to do something? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

I've got a small favour to ask you.

How would you feel about DJing?

You'd be brilliant at it.

I wouldn't usually ask, but you're the only DJ I know. 

Why don't you give it a go?

There's nothing to lose.

You'd really be helping me out.

OK, I'll think about it. 



Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to persuade someone to do something in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Average: 4.8 (27 votes)

Submitted by Mr.Kenan on Tue, 27/08/2024 - 23:40

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Persuading someone is very difficult act. Indeed, it needs a great talent.

Submitted by Carlocarloni on Thu, 20/06/2024 - 18:09

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Persuading is an art. I'm not an artist.

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Submitted by Libra23 on Fri, 07/06/2024 - 16:41

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Noelia is that person you feel afraid, because you think she’ll write your name on her “death” little book if you don’t help her XD

Submitted by lanzrq on Sun, 12/05/2024 - 11:22

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I don't think it's a good idea to try to persuade someone to do something if they don't really want to. If they're genuinely interested, they'll do it on their own. Personally I really dislike being forced into doing something I don't want to do, so this is why I try to avoid the situation where I have to persuade someone.

Submitted by Toan3002 on Sat, 30/12/2023 - 08:27

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I am not good at persuading someone to do something.

Submitted by I.es91 on Thu, 27/04/2023 - 13:16

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When I know someone very well and I know he will be good at something I will do my best to persuading him to do this thing. I can show him the advantage of the job and explain his strength points and how he can use it well. At the end I'm sure he will be confident and say ok.

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Submitted by vanenglish on Wed, 19/04/2023 - 17:30

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Mmmm, I think that it depends who I want to persuade. I don't want to be a annoying person who always make people do what I want.

By the way, poor Paul, he must learn to say "no". Also I perceive Noelia was getting a bit angry at the end (see her face), and that was the reason Paul said "yes" finally. This is muy opinion, I could be wrong or not. ;)

This is the last video for practise speaking, thank you to Learn English and the actors. I enjoyed each episode, if you can, please, make more videos like this. Good luck to everyone here, I hope we could improve more and more our speaking.

Exactly you are right. In Turkish language there is a idiom about that. The idiom is "Either be what you seem or  be what yoou are". 

Submitted by Sanja on Mon, 13/02/2023 - 08:04

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Sometimes I am good at persuading people, sometimes I'm not. It depends of whom I want to persuade and what I want him to do. Actually, I have difficulties at persuading and motivating myself to give it a go and try something new and different.

Submitted by Future_Nibras on Tue, 06/12/2022 - 11:07

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Wow! She's brilliant at persuading people.