Here's every excuse you could ever need! Let’s go through all of them. You can start with: Sorry, I'd love to help you but ... ... I'm a bit tied up. ... I'm otherwise engaged. … my back's playing up again. ... I'd be completely out of my depth. ... something else has cropped up. ... life's a bit hectic right now.-busy ... I'm in the middle of something urgent. ... it's out of my hands.-Not within one's control. ... I've got a lot on my plate. ... I've just got to pop out for a moment. ... I'm totally snowed under.-having too much to do ... it's an awkward moment. ... I can't help for, er, personal reasons. 1. -Could you carry my bag for me? It's too heavy for me. -Sorry, I'd love to help you but my back's playing up again. 2. -Could you drive me to the shopping center ... and wait for me while I'm shopping? -Sorry, I'd love to help you but I'm in the middle of something urgent. 3. -Could you clean my windows? -Sorry, I'd love to help you but I'm totally snowed under. .4 -Can I come to your house/flat for a meal ... and bring a few of my friends? -Sorry, I'd love to help you but I'm otherwise engaged. 5. -Could you look after my pet snakes for a few weeks? -Sorry, I'd love to help you but… I can't help for, er, personal reasons. 6. -Could you go to the airport to welcome my visitors? -Sorry, I'd love to help you but... something else has cropped up.