Requests, offers and permission

Asking for help, asking permission, offering and inviting — English uses questions with can, could, may, would and shall for all of them. The table collects the main patterns.

💡English makes a request polite with a question + please and with could / would. A bare instruction like “Open the door.” sounds bossy to a stranger.

Can you…? is informal — for friends and family. Could you…? is more polite and works with almost anyone. Would you mind + -ing? is very polite, good for a bigger favour. Here could has no past meaning.

• Can you turn the TV down a bit?

• Could you say that again, please?

• Would you mind waiting a few minutes?

💡Mind means “object to”. So to agree to Would you mind…?, say No, not at all. / Of course not. — or simply Sure! A plain “Yes” means “yes, I do mind”.

Asking for things: Can I have…? / Could I have…? (in cafés and shops, especially in the US, you also hear Can I get…?). Asking to do something: Can I / Could I / May I + verb? — May I is the most formal. Do you mind if I…? is very polite; the verb after if is present simple.

• Could I have the bill, please?

• Can I borrow your umbrella? I'll bring it back tomorrow.

• May I come in?

  formal

• Do you mind if I open the window?

Answers: yes — Sure. / Of course. / Go ahead.; a soft no — Sorry, I'm using it right now. To Could I…?, answer Yes, of course or Yes, you can — not Yes, you could.

Offering help: Shall I…? (British), Can I…?, Would you like me to…?, or simply I'll…. Offering something or inviting: Would you like + noun / to-verb?

• You look lost. Can I help you?

• Would you like me to drive you home?

• Would you like a slice of cake?

• Would you like to come to Hoi An with us next month?

Careful: Would you like…? is an offer; Do you like…? asks about your tastes.

• Do you like green tea? — Yes, I drink it every morning.

  asking about tastes

• Would you like some green tea? — Yes, please.

  an offer

See also the lesson on would like and the lesson “Suggestions” (Shall we…? Why don't we…?).

• ✗Would you mind to wait a moment?

  ✓Would you mind waiting a moment?

  mind is followed by -ing.

• ✗Do you mind if I using your charger?

  ✓Do you mind if I use your charger?

  Present simple after if I.

• ✗May I to come in?

  ✓May I come in?

  No to after may.

• ✗Would you like that I help you?

  ✓Would you like me to help you?

  would like + person + to-verb.

• ✗Would you like going to the cinema tonight?

  ✓Would you like to go to the cinema tonight?

  Would like takes a to-verb.

• ✗Will I carry your bag?

  ✓Shall I carry your bag?

  Offer with Shall I / Can I, not Will I.