* ask permission

* make requests

* offer help

We will focus on different ways to:

We ask permission when we want to be permitted or allowed to do something. Some forms are more polite than others.

Asking permission

Let’s compare:

Can I leave early?

Could I leave early?Do you think I could leave early?May I leave early? Do you mind if I leave early?Is it all right if I leave early?

Yes, you can. No, I'm sorry, you can't.That's all right. Sorry, no.

Polite 

More polite

Responses

Word order:

Can

May

Could I + verb (infinitive) … ?

Is it all right if

Could I use the telephone?

Offering help

When we want to do something foranother person, we offer help.

Examples:

- Shall I carry your bag?      - Yes, please.

- I'll carry your bag.           

- Thanks.

We can also use this expression:

- Would you like a glass of water?     - Yes, please. / No, thanks.

Shall I verb (infinitive)… ?

I’ll (will) verb (infinitive)

RequestsA request is a way of politely asking someone to do

something.

The kind of request we use depends on where we are, who we are

talking to, and what we want the person to do.

Some forms are considered to be more polite than others.

In general, direct questions (1) are not very polite, we prefer indirect questions (2).

1) What's your passport number? (not very polite)

2) Could you tell me what your passport number is, please? (very polite)

1) Where do you live?2) Could you tell me where you live? (more

polite)

More examples of indirect questions:

1) How do you want to pay?2) Could you tell me how you want to pay?

(more polite)

1) Where do you want to stay?2) Would you mind telling me where you want

to stay? (more polite)

1) Give me a couple of minutes. (not very polite)

2) Would you give me a couple of minutes, please? (very polite)

Examples:

Can you help me with the computer?

Could you help me with the computer?Would you help me with the computer?Do you think you could help me with this form?Could you possibly help me with the computer?Would you mind helping me?

Sure. Of course. No problem.

Polite More polite

Responses

Word order:Can you

+ verb (infinitive) …?

Could you

Would you

Do you think you could

Could you possibly

Would you mind

+ verb (“ing”) …?

Could you help me?

Would you mind helping me?