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 #2 (permalink) Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:05 am Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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'Could' is the only word in the list that is used for requests of another person.
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 Mister Micawber
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| #3 (permalink) Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:56 pm Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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As Mister Micawber says, the word 'could' is the only word that works in the sentence.
The word 'may' is often used to politely request permission from another person. When 'may' is used to make a request, the word 'may' is not followed by the word 'you'. For example:
May I borrow your car?
May I go with you?
May I please have my notebook back?
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Yankee
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| #4 (permalink) Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:08 am Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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| Yankee wrote: |
As Mister Micawber says, the word 'could' is the only word that works in the sentence.
The word 'may' is often used to politely request [you]permission[/you] from another person. When 'may' is used to make a request, the word 'may' is not followed by the word 'you'. For example:
May I borrow your car?
May I go with you?
May I please have my notebook back? |
hi yankee
Is this correct sentence "You may call" if yes then why 'may' is not followed by the word 'you'
Please explain |
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Misskhan
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| #5 (permalink) Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:12 pm Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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Hi Misskhan,
You have to remember that 'may' has the meaning of 'give permission'. When we say 'May I', we are asking: Do I have the permission to ...?. Now that's common with the first and third person singular and plural - May I/May we/ and May he/May they?. But it would be a little unusual to say: May you? in other words you don't usually ask permission of yourself, do you?
Alan
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Alan
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| #6 (permalink) Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:40 pm Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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" Would you mind fetching me a book ", is also a possibility here.
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Kitosdad
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| #7 (permalink) Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:52 pm Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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| Alan wrote: |
Hi Misskhan,
You have to remember that 'may' has the meaning of 'give permission'. When we say 'May I', we are asking: Do I have the permission to ...?. Now that's common with the first and third person singular and plural - May I/May we/ and May he/May they?. But it would be a little unusual to say: May you? in other words you don't usually ask permission of yourself, do you?
Alan |
Thank you sir, |
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Misskhan
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| #8 (permalink) Fri Feb 11, 2011 14:23 pm Why should we use COULD as the answer? |
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Hello,
Could used to ask if I can do something:
-Could I use your phone, please.
Could used to politely ask sb. to do sth:
-Could you babysit for me on Friday?
K.S. |
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Kati Svaby
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