VII. Asking for Information and Explanations

There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common:

· Couldyoutellme...?

· Doyouknow...?

· Do you happen to know...?

· I'dliketoknow...

· Couldyoufindout...?

· I'minterestedin...

· I'mlookingfor..

These two forms are used for asking for information on the telephone:

· I'm calling to find out...

· I'mcallingabout...

Construction

Formula	QuestionWord	ExampleFinish
Couldyoutellme	when	thenexttrainleaves?
Doyouknow	howmuch	thatvasecosts?
Do you happen to know	where	Tomlives?
I'dliketoknow	what	you think about the new project.
Couldyoutellme	when	thenexttrainleaves?
Couldyoufindout	when	she is going to arrive?

Formula	Gerund (-ing)	ExampleFinish
I'minterestedin	buying	a boat

Formula	Noun	ExampleFinish
I'mlookingfor	informationon	holidaysinSpain.
Formula used only on the telphone	QuestionWord	ExampleFinish
I'm calling to find out...	if	flight AZ098 will leave on time today.

Formula used only on the telphone	Noun	ExampleFinish
I'mcallingabout...	theoffer	publishedintoday'snewspaper.

Task: Make up short dialogues using the above constructions.