Unit 37. Can / Could / Would you ... ? etc. (Requests, offers, permission and invitations).
Unit 37; Part A


• Can you wait a moment, please?
or Could you wait a moment, please?
• Liz, can you do me a favour?
• Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the airport?
Note that we say Do you think you could ... ? (not can):
• Do you think you could lend me some money until next week?
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.
Unit 37; Part B

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:
• May I have these postcards, please?
Unit 37; Part C

To ask to do something, we use can, could or may:
• (on the phone) Hello, can I speak to Steve, please?
• 'Could I use your phone?' 'Yes, of course.'
• Do you think I could borrow your bike?
• 'May I come in?' 'Yes, please do.'
May is more formal than can or could.
To ask to do something, you can also say Do you mind if I ... ? or Is it all right / Is it OK if I ... ?:
• 'Do you mind if I use your phone?' 'Sure. Go ahead.'
• 'Is it all right if I come in?' 'Yes, of course.'
Unit 37; Part D

To offer to do something, you can use Can I ... ?:
• 'Can I get you a cup of coffee?' 'That would be nice.'
• 'Can I help you?' 'No, it's all right. I can manage.'
Unit 37; Part E
Offering and invitingTo 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?' '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.
Exercises
![]() | Unit 36 Unit 37 Unit 38 | ![]() |
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