【问】(a) Would you kindly close the door?

(b) Would you close the door?

上面两个句子有何区别?

【答】 在Would you...?或Will you...?之后加上kindly，能把请求变得更为客气。试比较汉语的“请你”与“劳驾”。

1. Would you kindly shut the door?

劳驾关上门，好吗?

2. Will you kindly not interrupt us when we're talking about serious matters? (Lewis)

当我们谈正经事时请不要打断我们的谈话，好吗?

请注意，句(a)中的kindly并不是谓语的方式状语，而是句子状语。

Will you kindly take your seats? =Will you be so kind as to take your seats? (CGEL)

请就座，好吗?