Understanding and Using Modal Verbs: Understanding and Using Modal Verbs (#12)

Dennis Oliver

Modal Verbs #12:
Individual Modal Verbs

The English modal verbs are often challenging for learners
of English. This happens for many reasons, including both
grammar and meaning.

In this Hint, we'll look at more basic information on could.

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Could #2:
Polite Requests

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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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?)

Understanding and Using Modal Verbs: Understanding and Using Modal Verbs (#12)

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