WOULD YOU MIND HELPING ME WITH THIS TOPIC

Fabio Leonardo Corts Rodrguez

CONTENT TABLE
Modals for requests Structure Meaning Modals for perimission Structure

Meaning
Exercises

MODALS OF REQUEST

Can Could Will Would (would you mind

+ing)

STRUCTURE
Modal Can Could Will Would close the door? me a rise? Subject Base Form

you
give

Short Answers Yes Subject Modal Can Yes, I will No, I No Subject Modal +not Cant Wont

MEANING
Can and Will are more informal: Use them with friends and

family.
Could and Would are more polite: use them in formal

situations.
Add please to your requests: Could you pay attention,

please?
Use can and will to agree to requests: yes, I can or yes, I

will
Use cant to refuse a request: No, I cant Use wont for strong refusals: No, I wont

Use expressions such as: OK, Sure, no problem or certainly

Say: Im sorry and give a reason to make your refusal

more polite.

MODALS FOR PERMISSION

Can
Could

May

STRUCTURE
Affirmative Statements Subject Modal can You may borrow my car. Base form of verb

Negative Statements Subject Modal + not Cannot (cant) Base form of verb

You

May not

borrow

my car.

Yes/No Questions Modal Can Could May I/We borrow your car? Subject Base form of verb

Short Answers
Yes Subject Modal Can Yes, I may No, I No Subject Modal +not Cant May not

Information Questions Wh-word What When Where Modal can could may Subject I We I Base form of verb call make put you? a reservation? my coat?

MEANING
Can and Could are less formal than may. Use may in formal

situation when you speak to strangers or any authority.

Use can/cannot or may/may not to give or refuse permission. Use expression such as sure, go ahead,, right or certainly to give

permission.
Use Im sorry to sound more polite.

EXERCISES
Could you connect me with professor Hills office?
No, I wont . Hes busy.

Im sorry; hes not in right now

Id like to register for History 201; is it still open?

Yes, give me your name

Yes, it is. Could you give me your name please?

Will you please tell Jenny that I called?

No, I wont; Im going out

I wont be here when she gets home. But Ill leave

her a message

Look at the situations. Ask for

permission.
You need to use your classmates pencil. You want to borrow your fathers car. Youre hungry and your friend has some

leftover pizza in the refrigerator. Youre buying gas and you want to pay by check.