Can/could/would you ...etc?
(requests, offers, permission, and invitations)
A
Asking people to do things (requests)
Can or could to ask people to do things :
Can you wait a minute, please? / Could you wait a minute, please?
Liz, can you do me a favor?
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the airport?
I wonder if you could you help me.
Note : Do you think you could…? (not usually can) :
Do you think you could lend me some money until next week?
Will and would to ask people to do things (but can / could are more usual) :
Rebecca, will you do me a favor?
Would you people be quiet? I’m trying to concentrate.
B
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 the salt, please?
C
Asking for and giving permission
To ask for permission to do something, we use can, could, or many:
(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 car?
“May I come in?” “Yes, please do.”
May is formal and less usual than can or could
D
Offering to do things
We use Can I …? Or May I …? When we offer to do things. (May is more formal)
“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” “Yes, that would be very nice.”
(in a store) “May I help you?” “No, thanks. I’m being helped.”
E
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 go to a party with us Saturday night?” “Yes, I would love to.”
I’d like… is a polite way of saying what you want :
(at a tourist information office) “I would like some information about hotels, please.”
(in a store) I’d like to try on this jacket, please.
