Requests and Offers
Polite requests and offers: Can I...? Could you...? Would you like...? Shall I...?
When to Use Requests and Offers
- •Requests (asking someone to do something): Can/Could/Would you + verb?
- •Asking permission: Can/Could/May I + verb?
- •Offers (offering to do something): Shall I...? Can I...? Would you like me to...?
- •Offering something: Would you like + noun? Would you like some coffee?
- •Politeness scale: Can < Could < Would you mind (more polite).
How to Form Requests and Offers
Affirmative (+)
Modal + subject + verb? (requests) / Modal + I + verb? (offers)
Negative (-)
Would you mind not + -ing? (polite negative request)
Question (?)
Can/Could/Would you...? Shall I...? Would you like...?
💡 Could is more polite than can. Would you mind + -ing is very polite.
Examples of Requests and Offers
✓Could you help me, please?
✗Could you to help me?
Base verb after modal (no 'to').
✓Would you like some tea?
✗Do you like some tea?
Would you like for offers.
✓Shall I open the window?
✗Will I open the window?
Shall I for offers (British).
Common Mistakes with Requests and Offers
💡 Practice Tips for Requests and Offers
- • Requests: Can/Could you + verb? (Could is more polite)
- • Permission: Can/Could/May I + verb? (May is most formal)
- • Offers: Shall I...? Would you like me to...?
- • Offering things: Would you like + noun?
Quick Quiz
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