Fundamentals Of English Grammar

EXERCISE 14. Polite questions: MAY I, COULD I, and CAN I. (Chart 7-5)

Directions Ask and answer polite questions. Use may I, could I, or can I. Listen to

the cues with books closed. Work in groups or as a class. (Alternatively, work in pairs,

creating somewhat longer dialogues that you then role-play for the rest of the class.)

Example: (... ), you want to see (... )'s grammar book for a minute.

SPEAKER A: MayICouldlCan I (please) see your grammar book for a minute?

SP-R B: Of course. 1 Sure. I Etc.

SPEAKER A: Thank you. 1 Thanks. I forgot to bring mine to class today.

1. (... ), you want to see (... )'s dictionary for a minute.


2. (... ),you are at (... )'s house. You want to use the phone.


3. (... ), you are at a restaurant. (... ) is your waiterlwaitress. You have finished your
   meal. You want the check.


4. (... ),you run into (... ) on the street. (... ) is carrying some heavy packages.
   What are you going to say to himher?


5. (... ),you are speaking to (... ), who is one of your teachers. You want to leave class
   early today.


6. (... ),you want to use (... )'s calculator during the algebra test. (... ) needs to use
   it himselfierself.


7. (... ), you are in a store with your good friend (... ). Your bill is (a certain amount of
   money). You have only (a lesser amount of money). What are you going to say to your
   friend?

7-6 POLITE QUESTIONS: WOULD YOU, COULD YOU,

1 WIUYOU,CANYOU

. I) Wldyou please open the door?
@) Could you please open the door?
(c) Will you please open the door?
(d) Can you please open the door?

Yes.

Yes. Of course.

Certainly. I'd be happy to.

Of course. I'd be glad to.

Sure. (informal)

Okay. (informal)

Uh-huh. (meaning "yes")

I'm sorry. I'd like to help,

but my hands are full.

reople use woum you, coura you,

willyou, and can you to ask polite

questions. The questions ask for

someone's help or cooperation.

(a), (b), (c), and (d) have basically

the same meaning. The use of can,

as in (d), is less formal than the

others.

Note: May is NOT used when you is

the subject of a polite question.

INCORRECT: May yar please open the

&or?

Modal Auxiliaries 199