Grammar: B1 - 🔑 Modals & Related Structures: Certainty, Possibility, Advice, Obligation - Lesson 4: Modals of Request & Permission (can, could, may, would you mind - review & expansion)

🔑 Lesson 4: Modals of Request & Permission

Knowing how to ask for things politely is very important in any language. Today, we will review and expand on the modals we use to make a request¹ (asking someone to do something for you) and ask for permission² (asking if it is okay for you to do something). The modal you choose often depends on the level of politeness³ required.

Asking for Permission (Is it okay for ME to do something?)

When you ask for permission, you are asking if an action is allowed. We can use different modals to sound more or less formal.

• Can I...? (Informal⁴) - Perfect for friends and family.
  Example: "Can I borrow your phone charger?"
• Could I...? (Polite) - A safe and polite choice for most general situations.
  Example: "Excuse me, Could I have the menu, please?"
• May I...? (Formal⁵) - Very polite. Use it when you want to show a high level of respect.
  Example: "May I ask a question, teacher?"

Making a Request (Can YOU do something for me?)

When you make a request, you are asking someone else to perform an action for you. Again, the choice of modal shows the level of politeness.

• Can you...? (Informal) - Used with people you know well.
  Example: "Can you pass the water, please?"
• Could you...? (Polite) - The most common and reliable way to make a polite request.
  Example: "Could you tell me how to get to the Battambang bus station?"
• Would you...? (Polite) - Very similar to "Could you...?" and is also an excellent polite option.
  Example: "Would you help me with this bag, please?"

Advanced Politeness: "Would you mind...?"

This is a very polite and indirect way to make a request, but the grammar is tricky!

1. Asking someone to do something:
Would you mind + verb-ing...?
"Would you mind closing the window?"

2. Asking permission for yourself:
Would you mind if I + Past Simple Verb...?
"Would you mind if I sat here?"

---

Answering "Would you mind...?": The answer can be confusing! "No" usually means "Yes, I will do it" or "Yes, you can."
Q: "Would you mind closing the window?" (Is it a problem for you to close the window?)
A: "No, not at all." (This means: It's not a problem, and I will close it.)

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Best Option

Choose the best word or phrase for each situation.

1. Speaking to a close friend: "_______ you help me for a second?"
   Answer: Can (This is informal and perfect for a friend.)
2. Speaking to a stranger to ask for directions: "Excuse me, _______ you tell me where the nearest ATM is?"
   Answer: could (This is a safe and polite choice for strangers.)
3. Speaking to your boss in a very formal meeting: "_______ I add a point here?"
   Answer: May (This is the most formal and respectful option.)
4. "It's very noisy. Would you mind _______ the music down?"
   Answer: turning (The structure is 'Would you mind + verb-ing'.)
5. "Would you mind if I _______ your phone to make a quick call?"
   Answer: used (The structure is 'Would you mind if I + Past Simple'.)

📝 Homework: Making Polite Requests

How would you ask for these things in a polite way? Write a full question for each situation.

1. You are in a restaurant in Battambang and you want the bill. (Use 'Could')
   (Example: Could we have the bill, please?)
   _________________________________________
2. You want to borrow your teacher's book. (Use 'May' or 'Could')
   (Example: May I please borrow this book for the weekend?)
   _________________________________________
3. It's too cold in the room. You want your friend to close the door. (Use 'Would you mind...')
   (Example: Would you mind closing the door?)
   _________________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Request: (Noun) - ការស្នើសុំ (kaa snae'som) - The act of politely asking for something. ↩
2. Permission: (Noun) - ការអនុញ្ញាត (kaa â'nu'nheat) - The act of allowing someone to do something. ↩
3. Politeness: (Noun) - ការគួរសម (kaa kuor'sâm) - Good manners and respect for the feelings of other people. ↩
4. Informal: (Adjective) - មិនផ្លូវការ (mĭn phlɨw'kaa) - Relaxed and friendly; not for official or serious situations. ↩
5. Formal: (Adjective) - ជាផ្លូវការ (chéa phlɨw'kaa) - Used in serious situations or with people you respect or do not know well. ↩