request because repairing computers needs not only knowledge of computers, but also
time guarantee (a few minutes would not be sufficient). In order to avoid such
embarrassing situation of refusal, the only way out is to request indirectly by the use
of pre-sequences. If "Him" explicitly and abruptly puts forth his request for "Her"
to repair his computer, he would most probably encounter "Her's" refusal because
"Her" might say, "I don't know computers, and I have no time, either." Such kind of
response, we argue, is not what the requester wishes for. Again see example (156):
     (156) H: Do you get the TESOL Quarterly?
            S: Yeah.
            H: D'you get this issue?
            S: What - month is it?
            H: Um number two, June eighty three.
            S: Yeah, I think I probably did.
            H: Can I just borrow this for a day - for a day?
            S: Yeah.
            H: or two?
                                                                 (Tsui, 2000:111)
     If S knows exactly which issue H is referring to, S would respond to H's request
by the non-verbal response, giving H the TESOL Quarterly without any hesitation.
However, this is not the case, H has to make use of a series of pre-sequences to make
sure of the following things before he produces his request: (a) whether the addressee
S has the Quarterly; (b) which issue; (c) which month; (d) whether the addressee S
could lend him for some time; and finally (e) whether S could lend it for more time.
In this way ----through a series of pre-requests, the requesting action might be
realized in the end.
     (157) Customer: I'm interested in looking at a piece of cod, please.
             Server: Yes, madam, would you like to come and sit down.
                                                      (McCarthy & Carter, 1994: 63)
     This request dialogue takes place between a customer and a server in a fish shop.
The requester exploits a non-conventionally indirect strategy, "I'm interested in..."
(158)A：您有空吗?
    B：有，什么事?
    A：能帮帮忙吗?
    B：可以，我现在有空，我能帮你。
    A：谢谢!
     This is a very typical way of asking for help in Chinese. “空” means “the time
                                                                         
to spare”  often used in spoken Chinese.您有空吗？”   means "Do you have
some time to spare?" , employed to inquire about the temporal condition for the
forthcoming request. And "能帮帮忙吗？" inquires about the preparatory condi-
tion of the addressee for the request. The successful performance of a request is
guaranteed only after the two basic conditions are entirely satisfied.
(159)A：我想求你一件事。
    B：什么事?你说吧!
    A：把你的车借给我用一下。
    (祝畹瑾，1992：169)
     Among close friends (-SD, X=Y), people would always like to employ a direct
strategy in their request behavior.
(160)学生甲：李教练，我们等您好几天了。我们正在练足球，您给我们

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