Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 37 · B1

can/could/would you ... ? etc. (Requests, offers, permission and invitations)

Can you and could you ask people to do things; can I have and could I have ask for things; can I, could I and may I ask permission; can I offer help; would you like invites.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 25 minutes

In this lesson

Asking people to do thingsA1 screen of questions
Asking for thingsB2 screens of questions
Asking to do thingsC2 screens of questions
Offering and invitingD1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Asking people to do things

Use can or could to ask somebody to do something. Could is a touch more polite, which matters more with strangers than with your brother.

You can also say Do you think you could ... ?, never Do you think you can.

  • Can you hang on a minute, please?
  • Could you hang on a minute, please?
  • Siobhan, can you do me a favour?
  • Excuse me, could you tell me where the bus station is?
  • Do you think you could drop me at the station? (not Do you think you can)

Point A · Extra practice

Complete each request with Can you, Could you or Do you think you could.

  1. Excuse me, tell me the way to the station?

  2. give me a lift home? My car's broken down.

  3. Siobhan, do me a favour?

Point B of 4

Asking for things

Asking for something: Can I have ... ?, Could I have ... ? or Can I get ... ? all work. May I have ... ? is politer still.

  • Can I have a return to Doncaster, please? (at a ticket office)
  • Can I get a large latte, please?
  • Could we have the bill, please? (in a restaurant)
  • May I have a glass of water, please?

Point B · Exercise 37.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of the phrases in the box.

Use these

I'd likeWould you like to tryDo you mindCan I takeCan I giveWould you like to comeWould you likeI'd like to

  1. Example

    You're driving and you see a friend walking in the rain. You pull over and say:

    Hiya, Ryan. Can I give you a lift?

    AnswerHiya, Ryan. Can I give you a lift?

  2. You're making your friend a cold drink. Perhaps she wants ice.

    ice in it?

  3. You're ordering at the counter of a café.

    a cheese toastie, please.

  4. You have a spare ticket for a comedy night and wonder if your friend fancies it.

    to a comedy night on Friday?

  5. You answer the phone. The caller wants Jade, who is out.

    Jade's not in at the moment. a message?

Point B · Exercise 37.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of the phrases in the box.

Use these

I'd likeWould you like to tryDo you mindCan I takeCan I giveWould you like to comeWould you likeI'd like to

  1. You ring the surgery for an appointment.

    Hello. make an appointment, please.

  2. You work in a shoe shop. A customer is looking at some trainers.

    them on?

  3. You walk into a pub and see some people you know at a table.

    if I join you?

Point C of 4

Asking to do things

Use can I or could I to ask permission. May I is also possible and more formal.

You can also say Do you mind if I ... ? and Is it all right if I ... ? or Is it OK if I ... ?

  • Hello, can I speak to Mr Ahmed, please? (on the phone)
  • "Could I borrow your phone charger?" "Course you can."
  • Would it be OK if I borrowed your laptop this afternoon?
  • May I ask you a question?
  • Do you mind if I open the window?
  • "Do you mind if I take this chair?" "No, go ahead."

Point C · Exercise 37.3 · part 1 of 2

What would you say in each situation?

  1. Example

    Your arms are full of shopping and you can't open the door. A man is standing next to it.

    You say to him:

    Could you open the door, please?

    AnswerCould you open the door, please?

  2. You've finished your meal in a restaurant and want to pay.

    You ask the waiter:

  3. You've written a cover letter in English and want your friend to check it.

    You ask your friend:

  4. The man in the next flat is playing music very loudly.

    You say to him:

  5. You're on a train. The window is open and you're freezing. You'd like to shut it.

    You ask the woman next to you:

Point C · Exercise 37.3 · part 2 of 2

What would you say in each situation?

  1. You're on a bus with a seat. An elderly woman is standing.

    You offer her your seat:

  2. You're staying in a city and want to visit the museum, but you don't know where it is.

    You ask at your hotel's reception:

  3. You're in a clothes shop and see a jacket you like.

    You say to the assistant:

  4. You meet a famous footballer and want his autograph.

    You ask:

Point D of 4

Offering and inviting

Can I ... ? offers to do something.

Offers and invitations take Would you like ... ?. Do you like ... ? asks a different question altogether.

I'd like ... (I would like) states what you want, politely.

  • "Can I help you with those bags?" "No, I'm fine, thanks."
  • "Can I get you a cuppa?" "That would be lovely."
  • "Would you like a biscuit?" "No, thanks."
  • "Would you like to come for Sunday lunch?" "We'd love to."
  • I'd like some information about walks round here, please. (at a tourist information office)
  • I'd like to try these boots on, please. (in a shop)

Point D · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with Can I, Would you like or I'd like.

  1. " help you with those bags?" "No, I'm fine, thanks."

  2. " to come for tea on Sunday?" "We'd love to."

  3. a single ticket to York, please.

Put it together · Exercise 37.1 · part 1 of 2

Match each question with its answer.

Use these

  1. Depends what it is.
  2. No, that's fine.
  3. Me too. Let's go for a walk.
  4. Course. It's the door at the end.
  5. Yes, here you go.
  6. Thanks, but it isn't heavy.
  7. Maybe. Who's playing?
  8. No, thanks. I've just eaten.

  1. Example

    Could you pass the salt?

    e

    AnswerCould you pass the salt? Yes, here you go.

  2. Would you like to come to a gig on Friday?

  3. Can I use your loo?

  4. Do you mind if I knock off early today?

  5. Can you do me a favour?

Put it together · Exercise 37.1 · part 2 of 2

Match each question with its answer.

Use these

  1. Depends what it is.
  2. No, that's fine.
  3. Me too. Let's go for a walk.
  4. Course. It's the door at the end.
  5. Yes, here you go.
  6. Thanks, but it isn't heavy.
  7. Maybe. Who's playing?
  8. No, thanks. I've just eaten.

  1. Would you like a sandwich?

  2. Can I give you a hand with that?

  3. I need some fresh air.

Lesson 37 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: if I do ... and if I did ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Asking people to do things–Not checkedB. Asking for things–Not checkedC. Asking to do things–Not checkedD. Offering and inviting–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked