Can / could / would you…?

( Requests, offers, permission and invitations )

Asking people to do things ( requests )

We often use can or could to ask people to do things:

Liz, can you do me a favour?

I wonder if you could help me.

We also use will and would to ask people to do things:

Will you do me a favour?

Would you please be quiet?

Asking for things

To ask for something we use Can I have…? or Could I have…? ( May I have …? Is also possible but is less usual ) :

( in a shop ) Can I have these postcards please?

( during a meal ) Could I have the salt please?

Asking for and giving permission

To ask for permission to do something, we use can, could or may:

Hello, can I speak to Tom please?

Do you think I could borrow your bike?

May I come in?

To give permission ,we use can or may:

You can / may use the phone.

Offering to do things

 To offer to do something, we sometimes use Can I …? but  you can also use I’ll…:

Can I help you?

You look tired. I’ll get you a cup of coffee.

Offering and inviting

To offer or to invite, we use Would you like…? ( not ‘do you like’ ) :

Would you like a cup of coffee?

I’d like…is a polite way of saying what you want:

I’d like some information about hotels, please.

I’d like to try on this jacket, please.