Which is why researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed an automated method to up the politeness quotient for various communications. The modal verbs can and could represent the ability of a person or thing in doing something. The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability 2) possibility and 3) permission. You can borrow my pen if you like. Modal Verbs for Requests - learnEnglish-online 'Can', on the other hand, assumes that the person is willing to do it, which is not always the case. And if the teenager wants to complain back, he or she can say: I said I will when I go upstairs. Modal verbs, such as would, could, will, can, should, must, might and shall are often used in formal speech. Some of them are appropriate for formal situations while others are for informal and semiformal situations. so could is more polite :) See a translation. To practice using would for polite requests, set up a role play for groups of four to six students. 3. (Azar 152) 345. 1. Using these tenses makes the suggestion less direct, and therefore more polite. Examples: Can I use your book, please? COULD is used in a question, which is not a real question, to ask somebody to do something in a polite way. CAN vs COULD: The Differences Between COULD vs CAN in ... How to Use Modal Verbs in English — Lazarus Language ... Mind Your Manners: How to Be Polite in English Using ... All that my family and I knew were the 3 magic words, Please and Thank You. "COULD" is used as a more formal and polite form of "CAN". Polite Requests in English Communication - English ... The negative form of could is couldn't in spoken English and could not in written English.. can and could: possibility 1. ( ask for permission ) If you want, you can go to the park. No other types of requests are of interest. Could can be used instead of may and might with the verb be: You could be right. Being married to a British person I would also avoid the use of please in the middle of the sentence because it sounds too impatient (I think it's possibly because you tend to stress it more in that position than you would at the end of the sentence). gives slightly more room for refusal than Can you please . Here are some examples of different ways you can use these modal verbs in English to make your question, request or suggestion sound softer. As such, using would is more polite. Note the word order. You can follow up with "Can we talk a little later?" and agree on a time when you're both available. Social Communication | Polite = Indirect This is another expression that can be used to make a request or order more polite. 10 Things Polite People Do And Don't Do (i.e. How To Be ... Editor Kory Stamper gives an explanation of how they are used.. Could, would, and can are all modal verbs (for more on some modal verbs, click here), and they can be difficult to master.Let's look at each one separately, and then compare some of their more confusing uses. None of them are true, strictly speaking. It just means Can I help you?. Say: Let me know when you're available. Making Polite Requests: Formal, Informal, and Semi-formal ... 15 Feb 2019. So when you phrase your questions, you will sound more polite. Could usage in English grammar - English Grammar Secrets For instance, to suggest a strong possibility of something, we might use the word 'can': Vitamin C can boost your immune system. Answer (1 of 5): 'Could' is more polite than 'can' but 'shall' is politer than 'should'. ⏺️ can - can be used for casual ⏺️could - formal so could is more polite :) ⏺️ can - can be used for casual. @piyawachk 'politer' & 'politest' exist in the language, however 'more polite / most polite' are preferred & the most commonly used here in England|Curveball, I'm from England and tend to use politer a lot more often than 'more polite'. Making Polite Requests in Informal Settings. Yes certainly. If you'd like to sound more polite when talking to someone you don't know well, "could" is great to use. 3. If you are requesting something for yourself, all of these forms are possible. False. To express ability. To answer the question: "could" definitely sounds slightly more polite than "can" to a native speaker since it is less direct and more deferential as a result. Being polite means behaving respectfully towards others in terms of speech, manners, actions, etc. Make a TRUE NEGATIVE sentence using the modal verb "SHOULD/OUGHT TO" SHOULDN'T / OUGHT NOT TO. 1. permission: can / could more common Can and could are more common than may and might, which Could you please do me a favour? 'Where is John?' . As you notice, we often add additional language or change the verb to the past tense or even the past continuous in order to show even more hesitation about the request that follows. Could you bring your book tomorrow? After that, students fill in missing letters in phrases that accept and decline requests. When in doubt, use a modal verb to make any question or statement sound more polite. English (US) Filipino. Can / Could To make polite requests. Courtesy never goes out of style. However there are some other used of Can as we will see below.. 1. Using 'can' in this sentence suggests not just a possibility, but a likelihood. Could, can, and would can be confusing in English. He said he could get that ticket for me. Don't say: Tell me when you're available. So you can see, we can use softeners like 'unfortunately' and other phrases like 'it looks like ' or 'it seems' and 'at the moment' or 'at this time'. When I was a child, I could play whenever I wanted to. We use COULD to: a) talk about past possibility or ability b) make requests. Do the washing first, then you can clean your room. Note: You can put the word "please" in front of the subject or at the end of the sentence; however, it is not necessary. Could you please . (more informal) Could I speak to Amy, please? 400. First person singular pronouns, such as I, me . a. In requests, orders and suggestions, could is more polite than can: Examples: Can I use your phone? "Can" is also common, but it's more often used with close friends. True or false: can is more polite than could. Would expresses a little bit more certainty and is a little bit stronger than could when making requests. GapFillTyping_MTYzNjg= can and could: other uses 1. English (US) Filipino. Could has the same meaning as may when making requests. I already mentioned that using questions is more polite than using statements. Some of the most popular modal verbs you can use to sound more polite in English include: Can. We use can to say that someone has permission to do something: We can go out whenever we want. . Could I bother you for a moment? Example: Could you pass me the salt? We can use modal verbs ' can ' and ' may ' (but NOT ' could ') to express permission or say that someone has permission. But over time the scoring system became more realistic and the changes became subtler. Matching_MTYzNjk= can and could: other uses 2 Of course. Can / Could I ask you something? Most people I know do too :) I suppose it just depends on whereabouts in the UK you're from. Which is more polite? base form Could you work on Exercise 4? Yes certainly. 1. literally you are asking if the person knows the way to the station and can tell you. No other types of requests are of interest. Are these statements true? Birds can fly. Can and Could are used differently. Yes, of course. Requests with Please Use please to make a request more polite. . Students can travel free. In the United States, "can" is considered to be incorrect for written English in particular because, in the past, it was not a word used when asking for something. However, there is a difference in their usage, as 'can' is used in present situation, whereas we can use 'could' for talking about a past ability.Both are followed by a base form of the verb. There are a few things I'm not 100% sure of." Notice that we use could and not can in these requests. Can is used to make basic requests from a friend or co-worker. Can I is used informally to request permission, especially if the speaker is talking to someone s/he knows fairly well. Possible positive answers to the questions above: Yes. 'May' and 'Might' can also be used when asking permission but are much more formal. In general Could is considered more polite (or formal) that Can.. CAN. The super shorter summary of the difference between 'could' and 'would' is this: Key Words That Make Direct Questions More Polite . Examples: Can you pass the salt please? For instance, to suggest a strong possibility of something, we might use the word 'can': Vitamin C can boost your immune system. 7. These two modal verbs sound informal compared to "would" and "could.". Can you send me or could you send me? If you need to use indirect questions in formal . I was hoping…. Can/Could + Subject + Verb. My question is specifically about "please can/could you" as opposed to "could you please" - whether one is more polite and/or common than the other. Can you turn off the air conditioner? Politeness - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary There is probably no proper way. False. I could have married her, if I had wanted to. Could you PLEASE turn off the lights in your room? "COULD" is used as a more formal and polite form of "CAN". You can use the other phrase, "Sorry - I'm a bit busy right now" when you're in the middle of work that can't be interrupted. The first is more direct, and the second is more polite. 2. We see or hear may, not can, in official announcements, and on signs: Hotel guests may use the gym from 6 a.m. Informal Requests Use can and will for less formal requests. For the role play, students will pretend to be at a business lunch. 'Could' is used to make polite requests. Do you mind if…" is followed by the verb in the present tense, but would you mind if… is followed by the verb in the past tense. Using 'can' in this sentence suggests not just a possibility, but a likelihood. A more polite, diplomatic way of saying this would be; "Unfortunately, it looks like we don't have anything available at the moment". Yes, of course. And don't forget, you can also add "excuse me" to be even more polite. ⏺️could - formal. Could is a little more polite than can, since it is a conditional verb.There is an implication of it relying on unspoken conditions being met. CAN/COULD are modal auxiliary verbs. In English we always use can or could to make requests with friends and colleagues. When you request something from people who are known and close to you, you can use can or will. False. Questions that start with either 'could' or 'would' are both polite ways to make requests. Sound More Polite Using Modal Verbs (Could, Would, Might) First, let's talk about sounding more polite while using modal verbs. Could you help me, please? station. With suggestions, we often use the past progressive and simple past. You can . It is often used for small things. Each person should have a unique goal for the group's project . The word "please" makes the request more polite and less direct. In requests, commands and sentences, it is considered more polite to use could than can. Answer (1 of 7): They are often used interchangeably and IMO there is no real difference. When you're using these two sentences, don't use please. They are equally polite. Would you PLEASE stop asking me that? When we add a modal verb to a sentence, we can turn a direct request or suggestion into a more polite one. Canadians use "please" often and visitors are expected to ask for help politely, using "please.". I am not asking about polite questions in general, so please no mission creep here! 400. (informal) - Could I ask you another question? "COULD" is used as a more formal and polite form of "CAN". When you've finished the letter, you could translate this article, if you like. (more polite) My question is specifically about "please can/could you" as opposed to "could you please" - whether one is more polite and/or common than the other. Can I borrow base form Sure. Can is less polite than Could. • Could suggests a polite manner when making a request and it suggests a level of doubt or certainty. It can be used when the other person is [1] a peer (same status, rank, age), [2] is an acquaintance, [3] is greater in status (different rank, social level). b. Could I try this coat on? Modal verbs like "could," "would," and "might" add a mood or feeling to a verb, just like intonation. I hope the answer will be, "Yes!". Students begin by using ten polite phrases to make requests for the situations on their worksheet. We see the following examples: Can I have a biscuit? We use CAN to: a) talk about possibility and ability b) make requests c) ask for or give permission. May. Jack could not go to work yesterday because he was ill. 4. Could and would soften requests and make them more polite. Do you think you could help me for a few minutes? When you've finished the letter, you could translate this article, if you like. Could you please do me a favour? ⏺️ can - can be used for casual ⏺️could - formal so could is more polite :) ⏺️ can - can be used for casual. Keep in mind that Would you mind is a bit more polite than Can/could you…? The difference between them is the same as in previous examples: ' may ' is a more formal and polite way of saying that, while ' can ' is used in less formal situations. Excuse me, I wonder whether you could direct me to the station. "I was wondering if we could do a brief review before we take the test today. True or false: Have to and must can be used indistincltly. Also 'could' is more polite than 'should'. I was hoping you could help me with the homework. Do the washing first, then you can clean your room. Could/can you…please? In this article, I've listed 50 common examples of polite requests based on different situations like when you're at home, school, work, restaurant, or a public place. Because 'could' depends on conditions, it depends on the condition of the person agreeing to do it. May and might are considered to be more polite, more formal or more tentative . Can I / could I / may I / might I . Matching_MTYzNjc= can and could: possibility 2. A company working to create a chatbot - a computer program that . Certainly. We use Can I / Could I / May I / Might I to request something for your self, all of these forms are possible. I've listed 10 examples for each of these situations. • Can and could are used to ask for permissions, make requests or commands. Besides these polite leading questions, you can also use common expressions that show hesitation and uncertainty about the question that follows. Offering to do something for another person 3. Can you pass the juice? I am not asking about polite questions in general, so please no mission creep here! Can I go now? You see, making polite, indirect sentences in English is easy! Canadians use "please" often and visitors are expected to ask for help politely, using "please.". We can also use 'can' for these but 'could' is more polite. Of course. It's already polite enough! The difference between these words is not merely a level of formality- they mean different thin. ⏺️could - formal. ( Polite Permission ) Although some people are more direct than others as a matter of personality (and there is a gender stereotype than women are less direct than men), most people do use at least a little indirectness in most situations to minimize perceived social threats (or "face threats," as discussed in the power & solidarity module . Can, could or may ? your eraser? Certainly. We include BE ABLE TO here for convenience, but it is not an auxiliary verb. Of course you can. I'll leave the final word to Roy T. Bennett, motivational author of The Light in the Heart: Treat everyone with politeness and kindness, not because they are nice, but because you are. For example, Would you mind taking to take a look at this. Polite = Indirect. Isabella asked why ESL speakers think 'may' is more polite than 'could.' Brian responded that they may have been told it's correct or more formal rather than being polite, and Isabella asked who would have told them that. The negative form couldn't is often used with comparative adjectives: The food is delicious, and the staff couldn't be more polite. Usamos can, could, may o might para pedir permiso para poder hacer algo. The method, aimed at applications such as chatbots, emails and blogs, involves what is known as politeness transfer. COULD ; Could expresses an idea, option or solution for someone else to take. And the great thing about being polite and courteous is that others are more likely to be polite and courteous in return, so you really do reap what you sow. Use past tenses. We use may when we want to sound more polite: May I offer you another drink, sir? (formal) GIVING/REFUSING PERMISSION (dando o negando permiso) Usamos may y can, pero no might o could para dar . Could you tell me the way to the station? This is not a polite request, but an angry request, and a complaint about something that the teenager hasn't done. Since those conditions are in the hands of the person being asked, it gives more authority and power to them, so the asker comes across as being humble and polite. . 8. - Can I go swimming? Answers. Here is a free making polite requests worksheet to help students practice the language for making, accepting and declining polite requests. Yup, those are the magic words. Can I is usually considered a little less polite than may I or could I. . • Could is used to state a past ability, condition, and possibility. I was hoping… This is another expression we can use to make a polite request. 7. @piyawachk 'politer' & 'politest' exist in the language, however 'more polite / most polite' are preferred & the most commonly used here in England|Curveball, I'm from England and tend to use politer a lot more often than 'more polite'. However, questions can be made even more polite with the use of modal verbs. Could you lend me some money? so could is more polite :) See a translation. Featured answer. may is a more formal and polite way of giving permission: You may go home now, if you like. Could. 6. Questions are obviously more polite than other requests. "Could you…?" We often use "could" when making requests in English. 1. We can use "Can' or "Will" to make requests in informal situations. I was hoping you could lend me some money. In requests, orders and suggestions, could is more polite than can: Examples: Can I use your phone? Can vs Could. 400. Can has many uses as a modal verb, but there are three uses that can be . This softens the request and makes it sound less like an order. Example: Can I have a glass of water? We also use modals for asking for something (making a request or asking permission). Modal Verbs Use #1: How to Make a Polite Request in English. Can you do me a favour? (more polite) - May/might I have a look at this report? Both Can and Could are Modal Verbs. She said I could come as often as I liked. To command or request something. Thanx in advance:-D. He could borrow my car, if she asked. 'Can', 'may' and 'could' are all modal verbs used to express the possibility of something. Read on to find out how you can be more polite to others and why it is important to be so for success at work and in life. Could you please send me your mobile number. "Could" is more polite. Initially, the system had a tendency to simply add words to sentences, such as "please" or "sorry." If "Please help me" was considered polite, the system considered "Please please please help me" even more polite. In informal situations, one could use the word "can" in a direct sentence. Here are two expressions you can use: • I was thinking we could… • I thought we could… Could leaves the decision making to the other person. Can / Could you lend me some pounds until tomorrow? May is more formal than can when asking for and giving permission: May I speak to Mr Jones, please? However, when asking for permission, could does not have a past tense meaning. The word "please" makes the request more polite and less direct. Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can. COULD is used in a question, which is not a real question, to ask somebody to do something in a polite way. Could I have a lift? I think the confusion is that there is more than one use for 'may.' For modals of possibility, students in North America are . For simple requests, we can be fairly direct. May and Might are consider to be more polite than Can and Could. Note: In making a request, 'would' is slightly more polite than 'could', but this is really just a small distinctions. • Can is used to state a fact, ability, potential, and possibility. True or false: Should and Might have the same meaning. When I was younger, I could work out for two hours without stopping. It is equally polite to say . Excuse me, I was wondering whether you could direct me to the. Remember that mind is followed by the gerund (ing). As a question it is implied that you are hoping for the answer, but permission or whether the person wishes to answer is not addressed. 2. Examples: Do you think you could help me with this case? 15 Feb 2019. I hope this helps. "COULD" is used as a more formal and polite form of "CAN". 400. I would regard could as more polite than can in this context. (more polite) I've finished my homework. 2. September 11, 2019 by admin. Would you mind…? 8. 'Can', 'may' and 'could' are all modal verbs used to express the possibility of something. Can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to do something.. (more informal) Could you say thanks to your mum for me? May and might can be used interchangeably in this context. However, the word 'could' is considered to be slightly more polite than using the word 'can'. Here's how it might be put to use. Do you think you could … (+ infinitive without to) Now you can go see your boss and say "Excuse me, I was wondering if I could ask you about taking a day off.". The negative form is can't in spoken English and cannot in written English.. We sometimes say cannot, but it is very emphatic.. If we use 'could' in reply to these requests, it suggests that we do not really want to . Could is more . "COULD" is used as a more formal and polite form of "CAN". Could y may son más formales que can. Featured answer. Yes, of course; Could I ask you a favour? Could does not express judgment about what is "right" to do. Could is the past tense of can. Do you think you could help me for a few minutes? When being polite, or wanting to show respect, 'could' is a better choice than can as it is a more polite form than 'can.' Could I ask you a question, please?
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