English grammar
Polite requests and offers 📕
English speakers use modal verbs and please a lot to sound polite. Direct commands can sound rude.
Asking someone to do something
| Less polite | More polite |
| Open the door. | Could you open the door, please? |
| Help me. | Would you mind helping me? |
| Give me the salt. | Can you pass the salt, please? |
Asking for something
Can I have a coffee, please?
Could I have the bill, please?
I'd like a ticket to Oslo, please.
Asking for permission
Can I sit here?
Is it OK if I open the window?
Do you mind if I sit here?
Offering help
Can I help you?
Shall I carry your bag?
Would you like some water?
Would like
I would like (I'd like) is a polite way to say I want.
I'd like a glass of water, please.
Would you like to come with us?
✗ I would like to drinking tea.
✓ I would like to drink tea.