request

Can you | we ? (QUESTION)

A1, active, affirmative, MODALITY, QUESTIONS, request

The page discusses the use of ‘can’ in forming questions at the A1 level of English proficiency. It highlights that ‘can’ is often used with the pronouns ‘you’ and ‘we’. The page provides examples of questions formed with ‘can’, such as “Can you help?” or “Can we talk?”. These questions can be extended for specific contexts, like “Can you help me with my homework tonight?” or “Can we talk about our plans for the upcoming vacation?”. The page serves as a guide to using ‘can’ in forming various types of questions.

Would you mind?

B1, fixed expressions, MODALITY, polite, QUESTIONS, request

“Would you mind?” is a fixed expression that means “Is it OK with you?” or “Do you have any objection?”
It is used to make polite requests or ask for permission.
For example:
Would you mind if I borrowed your pen?
Would you mind opening the window?

I am asking | wanting (polite)

C2, continuous, polite, PRESENT, request

C2 English Grammar Profile point 38 in the category of PRESENT/continuous is defined as: POLITENESS: with verbs that are not usually used in this form to make statements and requests sound less direct. EXAMPLES: I am asking us to use our power to choose. I am asking us to level up. TED We are asking businesses not to produce and consumers not to go out and consume. TED An iWeb search for I|We am|are asking|wanting * …

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Could you possibly?

ADVERBS, B1, MODALITY, polite, QUESTIONS, request

B1 ‘Could you possibly…?’ acknowledges potential inconveniences, offering the person asked the option to decline or fulfill the request based on their circumstances. Learn how this usage expresses respect and deference while seeking assistance or information.

VERB + DIRECT OBJECT + to INFINITIVE

advice, B1, command, direct, GSE, infinitive, object, REPORTED SPEECH, request

This post contains an example of overlapping B1 grammar points located inside two different categories in the English Grammar Profile (EGP). EGP B1 point 6 in the category of REPORTED SPEECH is defined as: REPORTED REQUESTS AND COMMANDS with ‘ask’ or ‘tell’ + direct object and ‘to-‘infinitive EGP B1 point 38 in the category of …

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He told me not to do it (negative request)

B2, command, GSE, infinitive, object, REPORTED SPEECH, request

The English Grammar Profile B2 point 14 in REPORTED SPEECH is defined as: ‘ask’ or ‘tell’ + direct object + ‘not’ + ‘to-‘infinitive. This point can be extended with Pearson’s GSE 60 B2 report orders, requests and advice with infinitive clauses. She told me not to do it. He warned us not to be late. *Pearson also includes an affirmative example: ‘She encouraged him to …

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would like

A1, A2, desire, invitation, MODALITY, offer, polite, preferences, request, VERBS, wish, would

“Would like” is a polite expression used to indicate a desire or wish, often in making requests, invitations, or offers. The structure typically follows “subject + would like + (noun phrase OR infinitive verb)”. For instance, “I’d like to see you again” or “Would you like a drink?”. The negative form, “wouldn’t like”, can imply a hypothetical situation, such as “If I told you, you wouldn’t like it.” This phrase is commonly used in various contexts, including wanting to see, know, thank, be, have, say, use, get, add, share, make, take, ask, try, hear, think, point out, give, start and go among others.

Will you please

B2, command, MODALITY, request

“Will you please” is a polite phrase that asks someone to do something for you. It expresses your desire, choice, willingness or consent. It also implies that you expect the person to agree to your request. For example: Will you please pass me the salt? Will you please be quiet? Will you please come with …

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May I?

B1, B2, command, MODALITY, permission, polite, QUESTIONS, request, suggestion

There are four entries in the English Grammar Profile that capture “May I…?”  Point 97 are polite questions.  They probably are not really asking for permission.  119 is literally asking for permission.  Yet, for the purposes of designating a complexity level, this matters little.  The interpretation of this structure becomes more difficult once we jump …

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