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Unit 37 · Modals

can/could/would you … ? etc.

Study

A

We use can or could to ask people to do things:

›

Can you wait a moment, please?

›

Could you wait a moment, please?

›

Helen, can you do me a favour?

›

Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?

You can say Do you think you could … ? :

›

Do you think you could take me to the airport?

(not Do you think you can)

B

To ask for something, we use Can (I) have … ? / Could (I) have … ? or Can (I) get …?:

(in a shop)

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Can I have these postcards, please?

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Can I get these postcards, please?

(in a restaurant)

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Could we have the menu, please?

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Can we have the menu, please?

May I have … ? is also possible:

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May I have these postcards, please?

C

We use can I or could I to ask to do something:

(on the phone)

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Hello, can I speak to Steve, please?

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'Could I use your phone charger?' 'Sure.'

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Do you think I could borrow your bike?

May is also possible:

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May I ask you a question?

May is more formal than can or could.

You can also say:

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Do you mind if I … ?

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Is it all right if I …?

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Is it OK if I … ?

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Do you mind if I use your phone charger?

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'Is it all right if I sit here?' 'Yes, of course.'

D

You can use Can I … ? to offer to do something:

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'Can I help you?' 'No, it's OK. I can manage, thanks.'

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'Can I get you some coffee?' 'That would be nice.'

To offer or to invite, we use Would you like … ? (not Do you like):

›

'Would you like some coffee?' 'No, thanks.'

›

'Would you like to eat with us tonight?' 'That would be great.'

I'd like … (= I would like) is a polite way to say what you want:

(at a tourist information office)

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I'd like some information about hotels, please.

(in a shop)

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I'd like to try on this jacket, please.

→ can and could: Units 26–27 · mind -ing: Unit 53 · would like: Units 55A, 58B · Modal verbs (can/could/will/would etc.): Appendix 4

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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37.1

Which goes with which?

  1. 1Could you pass the sugar?
  2. 2Would you like to go to the cinema?
  3. 3Can I use your toilet?
  4. 4Do you mind if I leave work early?
  5. 5Can you do me a favour?
  6. 6Would you like something to eat?
  7. 7Can I give you a hand?
  8. 8I'd like some fresh air.
  1. aIt depends what you want me to do.
  2. bNo, that's fine.
  3. cMe too. Let's go out for a walk.
  4. dSure. It's the door on the left.
  5. eYes, here you are.
  6. fNo, it's all right. I can manage, thanks.
  7. gMaybe. What's on?
  8. hNo, thanks. I'm not hungry.
37.2

Complete the sentences. Choose from:

I'd likeCan I giveWould you like to tryWould you like to comeDo you mindWould you likeCan I takeI'd like to
  1. 1
    You're driving and you see a friend walking along the road. You stop and say: Hi Joe.
    you a lift?example
  2. 2
    You're making a cold drink for your friend. Perhaps he wants ice. You ask:
    ice in your drink?
  3. 3
    You're ordering something to eat in a cafe. You say:
    a chicken salad, please.
  4. 4
    You have an extra ticket for a concert. Maybe your friend will come. You ask:
    to a concert tomorrow night?
  5. 5
    You answer the phone. The caller wants to speak to Lisa. You say: Lisa's not here.
    a message?
  6. 6
    You need to see a dentist. You phone for an appointment. You say: Hello.
    make an appointment, please.
  7. 7
    You work in a shoe shop. A customer asks you about some shoes. You ask:
    them on?
  8. 8
    You go into a cafe and see some people you know. You ask:
    if I join you?
37.3

What would you say in these situations?

  1. 1
    You're carrying a lot of things. You can't open the door yourself. There's a man near the door. You say to him:
    open the door, please?example
  2. 2
    You've finished your meal in a restaurant and now you want the bill. You ask the waiter:
  3. 3
    You've filled in some forms in English. You want your friend to check them for you. You ask your friend:
  4. 4
    The woman in the next room is playing music. It's very loud. You want her to turn it down. You say to her:
  5. 5
    You're on a train. The window is open and you're cold. You'd like to close it. You ask the man next to you:
  6. 6
    You're on a bus. You have a seat, but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat. You say to him:
  7. 7
    You're a tourist. You want to go to the station, but you don't know how to get there. You ask at your hotel:
  8. 8
    You are in a clothes shop. You see some trousers you like and you want to try them on. You say to the shop assistant:
  9. 9
    You meet a very famous person. You want to get his/her autograph. You ask: