Modals – Requests


To show degrees of requests, we can use various modal verbs.

1. Polite Requests

Can I see you in your office, please?
Could I see you in your office, please?
May I see you in your office, please?

could is more polite than can and may is quite formal.

2. Direct Requests

We can use will to make requests, but it is more direct than can or could.

Will you tell me the time, please?
Can you tell me the time, please?
Could you tell me the time, please?
Would you tell me the time, please?

3. Other Ways of Making Requests

Would you mind coming with me?
Would you mind if we left now?
Would you rather we didn’t go?


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Posted in Parts of Speech.

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