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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Can, could, would, may



Am I right about these?:

Can you cook? (I’m asking if you are good at cooking, if you know how to cook)

Could you please help me to dust off the counter?(I’m politely asking for someone’s help)

Can and could work pretty much the same way; could is a little more formal and polite, but there really isn’t much difference

Would you do something for me? (is a request)

May I? (you ask permission for something)

May I ask you why you didn’t tell them the truth?

"Could you" do something? is the same as asking if you are able to do it.

"Would you" is a request.



thanks
  

Top answer

After having a quick look at your examples, I think you are right. However: "Could you do" something is the same as asking if you were able to do it. And you are usually not referring to one incident but an ability : Could you swim when you were five years old?

— Cool Breeze

  • After having a quick look at your examples, I think you are right.
  • However: "Could you do" something is the same as asking if you were able to do it.
  • And you are usually not referring to one incident but an ability : Could you swim when you were five years old?
  • But: Were you able to get in last night even though you had lost your key?
  • CB
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1 Answers
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After having a quick look at your examples, I think you are right. However:

"Could you do" something is the same as asking if you were able to do it.

And you are usually not referring to one incident but an ability:

Could you swim when you were five years old?
But:
Were you able to get in last night even though you had lost your k
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