library books

[NearThere]

They are coming due tomorrow, but I'm not even half way done.

How do I ask the library so I can keep the books longer?

Many thanks in advance
NT

p.s.: Should the question word be "how" or "what"? I can never decide.

 

[riverkid]

They are coming due tomorrow, but I'm not even half way done.

How do I ask the library so I can keep the books longer?

Many thanks in advance
NT

p.s.: Should the question word be "how" or "what"? I can never decide.

In this case, NT, both work.

'how' says "in what manner?".

Is this a question about how and what or are you asking for collocations that you can actually use? I suspect the former.

 

[NearThere]

In this case, NT, both work.

'how' says "in what manner?".

Is this a question about how and what or are you asking for collocations that you can actually use? I suspect the former.

You suspected right.

By the way, I have seen this word "colocations" a lot, but never figure out what it's about. And what do I ask the library again?

Thank you very much, you've always been a great help

NT

 

[NearThere]

Sorry riverkid, I was confused in my previous message.

I guess what I want is the "collocation" after all, because the "how" and "what" issue came secondary to my original question. Really, I'd like to sound a little "formal" over the phone, I'd hate to say:

I'm not done with the books, can I keep them longer?

I know there's procesure for them to allow me to do that, so I'd like to know what native-speakers say to get the permission. thanks.

NT

 

[Anglika]

Sorry riverkid, I was confused in my previous message.

I guess what I want is the "collocation" after all, because the "how" and "what" issue came secondary to my original question. Really, I'd like to sound a little "formal" over the phone, I'd hate to say:

I'm not done with the books, can I keep them longer?

I know there's procesure for them to allow me to do that, so I'd like to know what native-speakers say to get the permission. thanks.

NT

I haven't finished with the books. Is it possible to renew them? [renew here being renew the permission to take them out]

 

[riverkid]

Sorry riverkid, I was confused in my previous message.

I guess what I want is the "collocation" after all, because the "how" and "what" issue came secondary to my original question. Really, I'd like to sound a little "formal" over the phone, I'd hate to say:

I'm not done with the books, can I keep them longer?

I know there's procesure for them to allow me to do that, so I'd like to know what native-speakers say to get the permission. thanks.

NT

Anglika's example is fine. Some others, NT.

Using "I was wondering + ---" is always good if you want to be extra polite/soft and sometimes, well, we just wanna do that, right?

I was wondering if I might /could renew them for blah blah blah.

I was wondering if it would be possible to renew them for ... .

Might/Could I renew them for ... ?

Would it be possible to get a short extension on these books?

 

[NearThere]

Thank you Angelika and riverkid,

"renew" and "extention" are the words I'm looking for. Thank you so much.

initially I had thought of saying "renew the books", but over-analyzed on the point that it's tenichally not "the books" I want to renew (how does one renew a book? change the content or the look of the book?) rather it's the "period of time" I have the books in my possession I want to extend, therefore I was caught up in my own judgement, and very luckily I have you guys I can relay on. Thanks a lot!

You guys rock!:-D

NT

 

[riverkid]

Thank you Angelika and riverkid,

"renew" and "extention" are the words I'm looking for. Thank you so much.

Initially I had thought of saying "renew the books", but over-analyzed on the point that it's technically not "the books" I want to renew (how does one renew a book? change the content or the look of the book?) rather it's the "period of time" I have the books in my possession I want to extend, therefore I was caught up in my own judgement, and very luckily I have you guys I can [relay] rely [but I know that you knew that, NT] on. Thanks a lot!

You guys rock!:-D

NT

You're most welcome, NT.