A little help for English learner POLITE REQUEST: May I – Could I – Can I ------------------------------- May I and Could I are used to request permission. They are equally polite. In a polite request, could has a present or future meaning, not a past meaning. Can I is used informally to request permission, especially if the speaker is talking to someone s/he knows fairly well. Can I is usually not considered as polite as may I or could I. Example: - May I borrow your book (please)? - Could I borrow your book (please)? - Can I borrow your book? Typical responses: Yes, certainly ; Yes, of course ; Sure (informal) Would you – Will you – Could you – Can you ------------------------------------------------------------- The meaning of would you and will you in a polite request is the same. Would you is more common and is often considered more polite. The degree of politeness, however, is often determined by the speaker’s tone of voice. Basically, could you and would you have the same meaning. The difference is slight: Would you = Do you want to do this, please? Could you = Do you want to do this please, and is it possible for you to do this? > Could you and Would you are equally polite. > Can you is often used informally. It usually sounds less polite than Could you or Would you. Example: - Would you pass the salt (please)? - Will you pass the salt (please)? - Could you pass the salt? - Can you pass the salt? Typical response: I’d (I would) be happy to ; Yes, I’d glad to ; Certainly ; Sure (informal). Would you mind ---------------------- Asking permission - Would you mind if I closed the window? - Would you mind if I used the phone? Would you mind if I is followed by the simple past. Meaning: May I close the window? Is it all right if I close the window? Will it cause you any trouble or discomfort if I close the window? Typical responses: No, not at all ; No, of course not ; No, that would be fine. Asking someone else to do something - Would you mind closing the window? - Excuse me? Would you mind repeating that? Would you mind is followed by –ing (a gerund). Meaning: I don’t want to cause you any trouble, but would you please close the window? Would that cause you any inconvenience? Typical response: No, I’d be happy to ; Not at all, I’d be glad to