Making simple requests
Ask people to do things and ask for permission politely with can, could and please.
In this lesson you will
- Ask for things and help with Can / Could you…?
- Ask for permission with Can / Could I…?
- Reply politely: Sure, Of course, Sorry, I’m afraid…
Learn
Asking someone to do something: Can you help me, please? Could you open the window? — Could is more polite than can.
Asking for permission: Can I use your phone? Could I sit here? After can/could use the base verb (no to): Could you close* the door* (not to close).
Replies: Yes — Sure. / Of course. / No problem. / Go ahead. No — Sorry, I can’t. / I’m afraid not. + a reason: I’m afraid I’m busy right now.
Add please and use a friendly tone. Excuse me gets attention before a request: Excuse me, could you tell me the time?
| Request type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| someone does it | Can / Could you + verb? | Could you repeat that, please? |
| permission | Can / Could I + verb? | Can I sit here? |
| yes | — | Sure. / Of course. / Go ahead. |
| no | — | Sorry, I’m afraid not. |
Examples
- Could you speak more slowly, please?
- Can I borrow your pen? — Sure, here you are.
- Could I open the window? — Of course.
- Excuse me, could you take a photo of us?
- Can you help me with my bag? — Sorry, I can’t. My arm hurts.
Vocabulary
borrow
take something and give it back later
“Can I borrow your umbrella?”
lend
give something that will come back
“Could you lend me €5?”
repeat
say again
“Could you repeat that?”
Go ahead.
Yes, you can do it.
I’m afraid…
a polite way to say no or bad news
Here you are.
said when you give something
In real life
In an office.
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Sam: Excuse me, Julia. Could you help me with this printer?
Julia: Sure. What’s the problem?
Sam: It doesn’t print in colour.
Julia: Ah, can I see the settings? … There you go. Try now.
Sam: It works! Thanks. Oh, and could I borrow your stapler?
Julia: Of course. Here you are.
Practice
___ you close the door, please?
Speaking
Make six polite requests: three asking someone to do something and three asking for permission — at home, at work and in a shop. Then practise the replies.
Writing
Write a polite message to a neighbour asking for two things (e.g., to water your plants while you are away and to take in a parcel).
Lesson quiz
Could I ___ your charger?
Review
Key points
- Can/Could you + verb? = ask someone to do something.
- Can/Could I + verb? = ask permission.
- Sure / Of course / Go ahead · Sorry, I’m afraid not.
- borrow (take) vs lend (give).
What you learned
- ✓ I can make polite requests.
- ✓ I can ask for permission.
- ✓ I can say yes and no politely.
Grammar reference: Can and could: ability, permission, requests