English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 37: Can/Could/Would you ... ? etc. (Requests, offers, permission and invitations)

Asking people to do things (requests)

We use can or could to ask people to do things:
  • Can you wait a moment, please? or Could you wait a moment, please?
  • Helen, 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 take me to the station?

We also use will and would to ask people to do things (but can/could are more usual):
  • Helen, will you do me a favour?
  • Would you please be quiet? I'm trying to concentrate.

Asking for things

To ask for something, we use Can I have .. . ? / Could I have ... ? or Can I get ... ?:
  • (in a shop) Can I have these postcards, please? or Can I get these postcards, please?
  • (during a meal) Could I have the salt, please?

May I have ... ? is also possible:
  • May I have these postcards, please?

Asking to do things

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?' 'Sure.'
  • 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.'

Offering to do things

To offer to do something, we 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.’

Offering and inviting

To 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 eat with us tonight?’  ‘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.

37.1 Read the situations and write questions beginning Can ... or Could ....

  1. You're carrying a lot of things. You can't open the door yourself. There's a man standing near the door.
    You say to him: ?
  2. You phone Kate's office, but somebody else answers. Kate isn't there. You want to leave a message for her.
    You say: __________ ?
  3. 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: __________ ?
  4. 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: __________ ?
  5. You have a car. You have to go the same way as Steve, who is on foot. You offer him a lift.
    You say to him: __________ ?

37.2 Read the situation and write a question using the word in brackets.

  1. You want to borrow your friend's bike. What do you say to him?
    (think) ?
  2. You are staying at a friend's house and you would like to make some coffee. What do you say?
    (all right) ?
  3. You've filled in some forms in English. You want your friend to check them for you. What do you ask?
    (think) __________ ?
  4. You want to leave work early. What do you ask your boss?
    (mind) __________ ?
  5. The woman in the next room is playing music. It's very loud. You want her to turn it down. What do you say to her?
    (think) __________ ?
  6. You're on a train. The window is open and you're feeling cold. You'd like to close it, but first you ask the woman next to you.
    (OK) __________ ?
  7. You're still on the train. The woman next to you has finished reading her paper, and you'd like to have a look at it. You ask her.
    (think) __________ ?

37.3 What would you say in these situations?

  1. Paul has come to see you in your flat. You offer him something to eat.
    YOU: ?
    PAUL: No, thank you. I've just eaten.
  2. You need help to charge the battery in your camera. You ask Kate.
    YOU: I don't know how to charge the battery. __________ ?
    KATE: Sure. It's easy. All you have to do is this.
  3. You're on a bus. You have a seat, but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat.
    YOU: __________ ?
    MAN: Oh, that's very kind of you. Thank you very much.
  4. You're the passenger in a car. Your friend is driving very fast. You ask her to slow down.
    YOU: You're making me very nervous. __________ ?
    DRIVER: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise I was going so fast.
  5. You've finished your meal in a restaurant and now you want the bill. You ask the waiter:
    YOU: __________ ?
    WAITER: Sure. I'll get it for you now.
  6. A friend of yours is interest ed in one of your books. You invite him to borrow it.
    FRIEND: This looks very interesting.
    You: Yes, it's a good book __________ ?

Answer Key
Favorite Books
English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Read more
Table of Contents