Can/Could/Would for Requests, Offers, Permissions and Invitations

Can/Could/Would for Requests, Offers, Permissions and Invitations

Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. As you probably know, we use the modal words can, could and would to make requests, offers, permissions and invitations. 

How to make requests

Probably the easiest and most informal way to make requests or ask for something is with can:

• Can you help me with my homework?
• Can you give me a hand?
• Can you say that again? I didn’t hear you.

A more formal way to make requests is with could.

• Could you do me a favour?
• Could you give me a lift to the station?
• Could you clarify this for me, please?

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Can/Could/Would for Requests, Offers, Permissions and Invitations

We can also use would to make requests.

• Would you give me a hand? 
• Would you peel me an apple?

Will is also possible.

• Will you close the window, please?
• Will you make me a cup of tea?

You can use introductory phrases such as Do you think, do/would you mind, would you be kind, I wonder if you can/could, please, excuse me, etc. to make requests.

• Do you think you could put the clothes to dry?
• Would you mind typing this for me?
• Would you be kind enough to drop me off on your way home?
• I wonder if you could tell me the time?
• Excuse me, could you pass me the salt?

Find out more about words and phrases for making requests here

Can/Could/Would for Requests, Offers, Permissions and Invitations

How to make offers

The most common way to make offers in English is with Can I…?

• Can I help you with that?
• Can I buy you a drink?
• Can I take a message? 

To offer something, use the phrase Would you like…?

• Would you like a cup of tea?
• Would you like to play tennis with me on Saturday?
• Would you like another helping of ice cream?

How to make permissions

To ask for permission, we normally use Can I…? and Could I…?

• Can I sleep over at Lorna’s?
• Can I park here?
• Could I use your phone?

Can/Could/Would for Requests, Offers, Permissions and Invitations

May is also possible.

• May I come in?
• May I speak to Michael, please?

In order to be more polite, you can use introductory phrases such as Do you think I could…?, Would you mind if I…?

• Do you think I could have another piece of cake?
• Would you mind if I open the window?

Learn more about how to ask for and give permission here

How to make invitations

We can use the phrase Would you like…? to make invitations. 

• Would you like to stay for lunch?
• Would you like to come to the party on Saturday?
• Would you like to join us for a game of golf?

To say politely what you want, use I would (I’d) like …

• I’d like to try this shirt on.
• I’d like to talk to the manager, please.

Learn more about making, accepting and refusing invitations here

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