Polite requests and offers
Make polite requests, ask for permission and make offers with could, would, may and shall.
In this lesson you will
- Make polite requests with Could you / Would you mind…?
- Ask permission with Could I / May I…?
- Make offers with Shall I / I’ll / Would you like…?
Learn
Requests (asking someone to do something): Can you…? Could you…? Would you…? Very polite: Would you mind + -ing? (Would you mind opening the window? — answer Not at all = yes).
Permission: Can I…? Could I…? May I…? (May is formal.) Do you mind if I…?
Offers: Shall I carry that? I’ll help you. Would you like me to call a taxi? Can I get you a drink?
Replies: Of course. Sure. No problem. Go ahead. / I’m sorry, but… I’m afraid not. Thank-you replies: That’s very kind of you. Thanks, that would be great.
Examples
- Could you send me the file, please?
- Would you mind waiting a moment?
- May I use your phone?
- Shall I open the window? — Yes, please.
Vocabulary
Would you mind…?
a very polite request (+ -ing)
May I…?
formal way to ask permission
Shall I…?
an offer to do something
Go ahead.
Yes, you can.
That’s kind of you.
a thank-you for an offer
In real life
At the office.
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Anna: Excuse me, Mr Lee. May I leave half an hour early today? I have a dentist appointment.
Mr Lee: Of course. Could you send me the report before you go?
Anna: Sure. Shall I print a copy too?
Mr Lee: That would be great, thanks.
Anna: No problem.
Practice
Would you mind ___ the door?
Speaking
Make polite requests, permission questions and offers for five situations: in a café, on a train, at work, at a friend’s house, in a shop.
Writing
Write a polite email to a teacher or manager asking for two things (e.g., more time for a task and a meeting).
Lesson quiz
Most polite:
Review
Key points
- Requests: Could you…? Would you mind + -ing?
- Permission: Could I…? May I…?
- Offers: Shall I…? I’ll… Would you like me to…?
What you learned
- ✓ I can make polite requests.
- ✓ I can ask for permission formally.
- ✓ I can make and respond to offers.
Grammar reference: Can and could: ability, permission, requests, Would like and want