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GENERAL ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

MODAL VERBS 4 -
REQUESTS, OFFERS,
PERMISSION AND
INVITATIONS
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1 Presentation

We use the modal verbs can, could, may, would, will and shall for requests, offers, invitations and
permission. Study the table below.

Use Examples

can to ask somebody to do something Can you help me?

to ask for or give permission Can I have another chocolate?
to offer to do something Yes, you can use my laptop.
No, you you can’t use my laptop.
Can I help you with your bags?

could to ask somebody to do something Could you call me a taxi?

to ask for permission Could I come to work a little
(more polite) later?
Do you think I could borrow your
phone?

may to ask for or give permission May I speak to you for a second?
(polite) Yes, you may use my laptop.
No, you may not use my laptop.

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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

MODAL VERBS 4 - REQUESTS, OFFERS, PERMISSION AND INVITATIONS

Use Examples

would you like to make an offer or invitation Would you like another
chocolate?
Would you like to go out?

will to ask somebody to do something Peter, will you come here for a
minute?

would to ask somebody to do something Would you carry my bags for me,
(very polite) please?

shall I ... to offer to do something Shall I answer the phone for you?

Dialogue
A: Would you like to go for a walk in the park?
B: Sure. Can we go after lunch?
A: Of course. Could you meet me outside my building?
B: No problem.

2 Practice 1 - Requests and offers

Listen to a dialogue between a host and guest. Complete the four requests/offers and replies below.

1. A: you something to drink?

B: Yes, please. A coffee nice.
2. A: lunch now?
B: No thanks, I’m .
3. A: one of those biscuits over there? They look very tasty.
B: Yes, of course. .
4. A: my email from your computer? I’m expecting an important message.
B: the internet isn’t working at the moment.

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MODAL VERBS 4 - REQUESTS, OFFERS, PERMISSION AND INVITATIONS

3 Practice 2

What would you say the situations below? Use the modal verbs on page 1. More than one answer
may be possible.

1. You need to take a short break from your work. Ask your boss for permission. Be polite.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. You are organising a party. Invite your friend Ross.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. You are at a clothes shop. You see a shirt that you really like. Ask the shop assistant to show it to
you.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. You see an old lady trying to carry some heavy bags. Offer to help her.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. You have arranged to have lunch with a friend at 2pm. Ask her if she can meet you at 1pm instead.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. A stranger asks for permission to smoke in your building. You refuse.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. You need to post a letter urgently, but you have no time. Your neighbour is going out. Ask him/her
to do it for you. Be polite.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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TEACHER MATERIALS · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

MODAL VERBS 4 - REQUESTS, OFFERS, PERMISSION AND INVITATIONS

Transcripts

2. Practice 1 - Requests and offers

Simon: Can I get you something to drink?

Gianluca: Yes, please. A coffee would be nice.

Simon: How do you like your coffee?

Gianluca: White, please.

Simon: Do you take sugar?

Gianluca: Just one.

Simon: Here you are. Would you like to eat lunch now?

Gianluca: No thanks, I’m all right. I ate on the plane. But could I just try one of those biscuits over
there? They look very tasty.

Simon: Yes, of course. Help yourself.

Gianluca: Thank you. Oh, before I forget...could I check my email from your computer? I’m expecting
an important message.

Simon: I’m afraid the Internet isn’t working at the moment.

Gianluca: OK, I’ll just make a quick phone call if that’s all right.

Simon: Sure. Go ahead.

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TEACHER MATERIALS · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

MODAL VERBS 4 - REQUESTS, OFFERS, PERMISSION AND INVITATIONS

Key

2. Practice 1 - Requests and offers

1. Can I get; would be

2. Would you like to eat; all right
3. Could I just try; Help yourself
4. Could I check; I’m afraid

3. Practice 2

1. May I take a short break, please? Do you think I could take a short break?
2. Ross, would you like to come to a party?
3. Can you show me that shirt? Could you show me that shirt?
4. Can I help you with your bags? Shall I help you with your bags?
5. Can you meet me at 1pm instead? Could you meet me at 1pm instead?
6. No, you cannot smoke in the building. No, you may not smoke in the building.
7. Could you post this letter for me, please? Would you post this letter for me, please?

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