| |
The modal auxiliary could is used
in several very different
ways. One happens when
sentences with can are used in
indirect
(reported) speech and the main verb is past. Another
way
to use could is for polite
requests. When
could is used
in this way,
the time is present or future.
Examples:
Could I have your attention, please?
(May
I . . . ? is also possible. So is Can
I . . . ?,
but
Can I . . . ? is informal
and casual, while
Could I . .
. ? is formal and polite.)
__________________________________________
Could you help me?
(Will
you . . . ? is also possible. So is Can
you . . . ?,
but
Can you . . . ? is informal
and casual, while
Could you . . . ? is formal
and polite.)
__________________________________________
Could we have a few minutes' break? We've been
working
hard for a long time!
(May
we . . . ? is also possible. So is Can
we . . . ?,
but
Can we . . . ? is informal
and casual, while
Could we. .
. ? is formal and polite.)
________________________________________________
Special
Notes:
| 1. |
|
In the sentences above, the time
for could
is present or future.
It is not past. |
| |
|
|
| 2. |
|
When native speakers of English use could
instead of can in
making requests, they feel
that could is "softer," more polite, and more
deferential than can. |
| |
|
|
| 3. |
|
When native speakers of English respond to
requests, they generally do not use could
or
any
modal auxiliary. Instead, they say something
like
"Yes," "Certainly," "No, thanks,"
or "I'm
afraid not." If a modal auxiliary
is used in the
response, it is usually may ("Yes, you may,"
"No,
you may not.") |
| |
|
|
| 4. |
|
Although may is not used in making requests,
might sometimes is. When might is
used in
this way, it is in present or future (not
past) time
and refers to possibility:
Might you help me? ( = Is
it possible that you
could help me?)
|
|
