Agreeing to exchange shifts

The idea

Use Could you to make a polite request. Give the day and the hours with from and to.

Examples

• Could you swap shifts with me on Friday?
• I can work your morning shift on Monday.
• Can you take my evening shift on Tuesday?
• Sorry, I cannot work that day.
• Yes, I can take your shift from two to six.
• Let’s tell the manager about the new schedule.

Watch out

A request is not an agreement: wait for a clear answer and tell the manager.

Try it yourself

1. ___ you swap shifts with me on Saturday? (Could / Are)

   Show answer or example answer

   Could

   Could makes the question a polite request.

2. I can take your shift ___ nine to five. (from / at)

   Show answer or example answer

   from

   from marks the start of the hours, followed by to and the end time.

3. Let’s ___ the manager about the change. (tell / telling)

   Show answer or example answer

   tell

   tell follows let’s in its base form.

Use it today

Choose the word that completes each workplace exchange.