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Asking people to do things (requests)
We often use can or could to ask
people to do things:
Note that we say ‘Do you think (you) could…?’
(not usually ‘can’):
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We also use will and would to ask
people to do things (but can/could are more usual):
·
Liz, will you do me a favour?
·
Would you please be quiet? I'm trying to concentrate.
Asking
for things
To ask for something we use Can I have…? or Could I have…?:
·
(in a shop) Can I have these
postcards, please?
·
(during a meal) Could I have the
salt, please?
May I have…? is also possible (but
less usual):
·
May I have these postcards, please?
Asking for and giving permission
To ask for permission to do something, we use can,
could or may:
·
(on the phone) Hello, can I speak to
Tom, please?
·
‘Could I use your phone?’ ‘Yes, of course.’
·
Do you think I could borrow your bike?
·
‘May I come in?’ ‘Yes, please do.’
To give permission, we use can or may.
·
You can use the phone. or You
may use the phone.
May is formal and less usual than can or could.
Offering to do things
To offer to do something, we sometimes use Can I…?:
·
‘Can I get you a cup of coffee?’ ‘Yes, that
would be very nice.’
·
‘Can I help you?’ ‘No, it's all right. I can manage.’
·
You look tired. I'll get you a cup of
coffee.
Offering and inviting
To offer or to invite we use Would you like…?
(not ‘do you like’)
·
‘Would you like a cup of coffee?’ ‘Yes, please.’
·
‘Would you like to come to dinner tomorrow
evening?’ ‘Yes, I'd love to.’
I'd like… is a polite way of saying
what you want:
·
(at a tourist information office) I'd
like some information about hotels, please.
·
(in a shop) I'd like to try on this
jacket, please.
