Grammar‎ > ‎Modals and Modal Verbs‎ > ‎

Modals for Polite Requests

Conditionals may be used to make polite requests. 

Polite requests can be made using may I, could I, can I, might I, would you, will you, could you, and can you. 

Using can and will is considered less formal and less polite than could and would.

Polite requests with 'I' (first person singular) as the subject

Could I have another slice of pizza?

Might I get that for you?

May I have that?

Can I see that?

Polite requests with 'you' (second person singular) as the subject


Could you go pick up my dry cleaning?
Could you pass me the salt?
Would you do that for me?

Polite requests using would you mind..?

Would you mind if I turned off the light?

Would you mind not smoking inside?

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