When you ask someone to do something for you, or ask if you can do something, it's important to sound polite. Here are some of the common ways that you can do this.
Asking someone to do something for you
"Could you open the door for me, please?"
"Would you mind opening the door for me, please?"
"Can you open the door for me, please?'
Speaking tip: could and can are followed by the verb without to. Would you mind is followed by the verb and -ing.
Asking if you can do something
"Can I use your computer, please?"
"Could I borrow some money from you, please?"
"Do you mind if I turn up the heating?"
"Would you mind if I turned up the heating?"
Speaking tip: Could is more polite that can.
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.
When you're using these two sentences, don't use please. It's already polite enough!
19 comments on “Making requests”
I dont know the difference between could and would, but now I learned from this page.It's really helping to me..Thanks for your presentation.
The explanation is so simple and really effective. Thanks for it.
Easy to understand, quick to remember.
Thanks a lot!
its very useful. now I can able to make the request in the correct manner.
Really this is very useful and easy to understand .
It's very easy to understand and help me how to make request when I ask one to do something
Thanks
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i am a teacher of a junior high school in sengata, east kalimantan, indonesia.
thanks for this useful information.
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Mireya
It is easy to understand.
Thanks.
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Dear,
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Safi
Dear,
This website is really great. I am learning english speaking (basic). It is very useful for me. It is easy to understand. Now, I improve english in my calss. Carry on for english learner.
thanks!
Thank you for this lesson.
the diference about will and would
can and could
shall and should
We don't use shall or should for making requests, but we can use will / would / can and could. Of all the four, "will" is the most direct, and "would" and "could" the most polite.
I learned alot from this website now l know how to use could, can and would. They make a lot of difference in a request ! Thanks alot
Thank you very much for helping people who are in need of right advice.By reading the content of your website I really improved my english.I wish you very good luck,I woud like to ask you one question Clare
What is the difference between two sentences
do you mind if i turn up the heating and would you mind if turned off heating..could you please explain me..thank you im advance
Do you mind if I turn up the heating? (Simple request)
Would you mind if I turned up the heating? (More polite request)