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

Grammar: Modal Verbs

B1 Lesson 4: Requests & Permission

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use modals like can, could, may, and would to make requests and ask for permission with the correct level of politeness.

Choosing Your Level of Politeness

Knowing how to ask for things politely is very important. The modal verb you choose shows how formal or informal you want to be.

😎 Informal

"Can I borrow your pen?"

🙂 Polite

"Could you pass the water?"

👔 Formal

"May I ask a question?"

The Main Patterns 📖

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

• Can I...? (Informal) - Perfect for friends and family.
  Example: "Can I borrow your phone charger?"
• Could I...? (Polite) - A safe and polite choice for most situations.
  Example: "Excuse me, Could I have the menu, please?"
• May I...? (Formal) - Very polite; use to show a high level of respect.
  Example: "May I ask a question, teacher?"

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

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

💡 Pro Tip: Advanced Politeness with "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?"

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: 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)
2. Speaking to a stranger for directions: "Excuse me, _______ you tell me where the nearest ATM is?" (Answer: could)
3. Speaking to your boss in a formal meeting: "_______ I add a point here?" (Answer: May)
4. "It's very noisy. Would you mind _______ the music down?" (Answer: turning)
5. "Would you mind if I _______ your phone to make a quick call?" (Answer: used)

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Writing Practice: 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 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?"
3. It's too cold. You want your friend to close the door. (Use 'Would you mind...')
   Example: "Would you mind closing the door?"

Key Vocabulary

• Request (Noun) | ការស្នើសុំ
  The act of politely asking for something.
• Permission (Noun) | ការអនុញ្ញាត
  The act of allowing someone to do something.
• Politeness (Noun) | ការគួរសម
  Good manners and respect for others.
• Informal / Formal (Adjective) | មិនផ្លូវការ / ជាផ្លូវការ
  Relaxed and friendly / Serious and respectful.