Lesson

Can/could/would you...?

Polite requests

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Can/Could/Would you...?

Use these modal-question forms to ask someone to do something. They vary in formality and politeness. You can use them for requests, favors, offers, or instructions at work.

  • Can you...? — direct, neutral request or asking about ability.
  • Could you...? — more polite than 'can', commonly used for requests.
  • Would you...? — polite; often used for offers or conditional requests (and in formal/business contexts).

Table

Can / Could / Would — Quick Reference

Form Meaning / Use Example
Can you + base verb Direct request or ask about ability Can you send the invoice?
Could you + base verb Polite request (more formal than 'can') Could you please review the contract?
Would you + base verb Polite/conditional request or offer; very formal in business Would you approve the budget if the figures are correct?

Tip

Key Rule: Match tone to context

Choose the modal based on how polite or formal you need to be.

  • Informal/direct: use 'Can you...?' (e.g., with teammates).
  • Polite request: use 'Could you...?' often with 'please'.
  • Very polite/formal or conditional: use 'Would you...?' or 'Would you mind...?'

In business emails, prefer 'Could you' or 'Would you' for politeness.

Example

Examples in context

Can you join the call at 10 AM?

Could you please send the updated sales report?

Would you sign the approval form if everything looks correct?

Could you help me set up the projector before the meeting?

Tip

Common mistakes

Watch for these universal errors when making modal requests.

  • Using 'to' after a modal: wrong → 'Could you to send...' (correct: 'Could you send...').
  • Wrong word order: wrong → 'You could send the report?' (correct: 'Could you send the report?').
  • Overuse of informal modals in formal emails: 'Can you' may sound too direct in some professional contexts.
  • Confusing ability with a request: 'Can you' asks ability; context determines if it's acceptable as a request.

Always use base verb after the modal (can/could/would + base verb).

Quiz

Choose the most polite way to ask a colleague to send a report:

Hint: Think about politeness level and formal tone.

Quiz

Complete: _____ the contract to legal for review?

Hint: Think about a polite modal + base verb for requests.

Quiz

Which sentence uses 'would' to make an offer rather than a request?

Hint: Focus on whether the sentence offers something or asks someone to do something.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

can

modal verb CEFR A2 //kæn//

Used to ask about ability or to make a direct request.

Can you check the figures?

GrammarPoint

could

modal verb CEFR B1 //kʊd//

Used to make polite requests or to talk about past ability.

Could you please review this document?

GrammarPoint

would

modal verb CEFR B2 //wʊd//

Used for polite requests, offers, or hypothetical situations.

Would you approve this proposal?

Vocabulary

please

adverb CEFR A1 //pliːz//

A word used to make requests more polite.

Could you please send the file?

Vocabulary

request

noun CEFR B1 //rɪˈkwɛst//

An act of asking for something formally or politely.

I have a request regarding the meeting agenda.

Vocabulary

send

verb CEFR A1 //sɛnd//

To cause something to go or be taken to a destination.

Please send the updated file to the client.

Expression

do me a favor

expression CEFR B1 //duː miː ə ˈfeɪvər//

To ask someone to help you with something small or personal.

Could you do me a favor and print this document?