NAME: OMAR CONDOR

EXERCISE 12. COULD, MAY, MIGHT, and WILL PROBABLY. (Charts 3-4 and 7-2
Directions: Complete the sentences with your own words.
- 7-4)

- .
Example: I could t o d a y . ( . . ) could -too, but we'll probably -
I could skip class and go w a mmie today. Pedro could come along too, but
we'llprobably go to class just like we're supposed to.
.

1. Tonight I could go out. .

Or I might stay . Of course, I may sleep here
But I'll probably won´t do that
2. Next year, I might travel . But I could . I may . But 1'11
probably spend on furniture
3. My f i e n d ( . . . ) may this weekend, but I'm not sure. HelShe might
have other plans. HeIShe could also . But helshe'll probably
it be very
4. One hundred years from now, humans may changes could
that we will probably look nothing

17 - 5 POLITE QUESTIONS: MAY I, COULD 1, CAN Z

(a) May I please borrow your pen?
@) Could I please borrow your pen?
(c) Can I please bormw your pen?
I
n a police question, d
'
I d is NOT the past form of can.
POSSIBLE ANSWERS People use may I, could I,* and can
Ito ask polite questions. The
Yes. questions ask for someone's permission
Yes. Of course. or agreement. (a), (b), and (c) have
Yes. Certainly. basically the same meaning.
Of course. Note: can I is less formal than m a y I
Certainly. and could I.
Sure. (informal)
Okay. (informal) Please can come at the end of the
Uh-huh. (meaning "yes") question: May I borrmu your pen,
I'm sorry, but I need to please?
use it myself. Reme can be omitted from the
question: May I bormw yourpen?

EXERCISE 13. Polite questions: MAY I, COULD I, and CAN I. (Chart 7-5)
Directions: Following are some phone conversations. Complete the dialogues. Use mqv I,
could I, or can I + a verb from the list. NOTE:T h e caller is Speaker B.

I help leaw speaklralk rake 1

1. A: Hello?
B: Hello. Is Ahmed there?
A: Yes, he is.
B: could I talk to him?
A: Just a minute. I'll get him.

Modal Auxlllarles 197

 2. A: Hello. Mr. Black's office.
B: May I speak to Mr. Black?
A: May I ask who is calling?
B: Susan Abbott.
A: Just a moment, Ms. Abbott. I'll connect you.

3. A: Hello?
B: Hi. This is Bob. Can I talk to Pedro?
A: Sure. Hang on.

How I may help

4. A: Good afternoon. Dr. Wu's office. you?
B: Yes. I'd like to make an appointment with Dr. Wu.
A: Fine. Is Friday morning at ten all right?
B: Yes. Thank you.
A: Your name&. . ,> ..;. ., ,, .: ., .:~-., - ...
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f :I. ' A: Hello?

B: Hello. Can I talk
~. ,
.' ' ' to Emily?
./ ,.., ; ,.
"-"5:LA: She's not at home right now. Can you leave a message?
..
, . , i B: No thanks. I'll call later.
I /./. ,

6. A: Hello?
Could I speak
B: Hello. to Maria?
-rli
A. She's not here right now.
B: Oh. Can you take a message?
A: Certainly. Just a minute. I have to get a pen.

, '1!

7. A: Hello?
B: Hello. Can I talk to Jack?
A: Who?
B: Jack. Jack Butler.
A: There's no one here by that name. I'm afraid you have the wrong number.
B: Is this 221-3892?
A: No, it's not.
B: Oh. I'm sorry.
A: That's okay.

198 CHAPTER 7
 EXERCISE 14. Polite questions: MAY I, COULD I, and CAN I. (Chart 7-5)
Directions Ask and answer polite questions. Use m a y I, could I, or can I. Listen to
the cues with books closed. Work in groups or as a class. (Alternatively, work in pairs,
creating somewhat longer dialogues that you then role-play for the rest of the class.)

Example: ( . . . ), you want to see ( . . . )'s grammar book for a minute.

SPEAKER A: MayICouldlCan I (please) see your grammar book for a minute?
SP-R B: Of course. 1 Sure. I Etc.
SPEAKER A: Thank you. 1 Thanks. I forgot to bring mine to class today.

1. ( . . . ), you want to see ( . . . )'s dictionary for a minute.

2. ( . . . ),you are at ( . . . )'s house. You want to use the phone.

3. ( . . . ), you are at a restaurant. ( . . . ) is your waiterlwaitress. You have finished your

meal. You want the check.

4. ( . . . ),you run into ( . . . ) on the street. ( . . . ) is carrying some heavy packages.

What are you going to say to himher?

5. ( . . . ),you are speaking to ( . . . ), who is one of your teachers. You want to leave class
early today.

6. ( . . . ),you want to use ( . . . )'s calculator during the algebra test. ( . . . ) needs to use
it himselfierself.
7. ( . . . ), you are in a store with your good friend ( . . . ). Your bill is (a certain amount of
money). You have only (a lesser amount of money). What are you going to say to your
friend?

1
7-6 POLITE QUESTIONS: WOULD YOU, COULD YOU,
WIUYOU,CANYOU
. I ) W l d y o u please open the door?
@) Could you please open the door?
(c) Will you please open the door?
(d) Can you please open the door?
Yes.
Yes. Of course.
Certainly. I'd be happy to.
Of course. I'd be glad to.
Sure. (informal)
Okay. (informal)
Uh-huh. (meaning "yes")
I'm sorry. I'd like to help,
but my hands are full.
reople use woum you, coura you,
willyou, and can you to ask polite
questions. The questions ask for
someone's help or cooperation.
(a), (b), (c), and (d) have basically
the same meaning. The use of can,
as in (d), is less formal than the
others.
Note: May is NOT used when you is
the subject of a polite question.
INCORRECT: May yar please open the
&or?

Modal Auxiliaries 199

EXERCISE 15. Polite questions: WOULD/COULD/WILL/CAN YOU. (Chart 7-6)
Directions: Complete the dialogues. Use a polite question with wouldyoulfouldyar,
wil2 youlcan you in each. Use the expressions in the list or your own words.

answer the phone for me tell me where the nearestpost ofice iS

open the window turn it down
pick some up turn the .volume up
say that again

TBACHBR: It's getting hot in here. bJok\d/Tok\d/\lJi\l/Ta~ yak

p \ @ a e O P ~ Rthe wihdow?
STUDENT: d cows@. I'd. be hcwpy to. / Swe. / f t c
TEACHER: f i a & yak. / fiahks.
STUDENT: You're welcome.

2. FRIEND A: The phone is ringing, but my hands are full. Would/Could/Will/Can you
please answer the phone for me?

FRIEND B: Of course, I’d be happy to help you

FRIEND A:
Thanks
L, 8
PRIBND B: NO problem.

3. ROOMMATE A: I'm trying to study, but the radio is too loud. Would/Could/Will/Can you
please turn it down?
ROOMMATE B: sure
ROOMMATE A: thanks
ROOMMATE B: That's okay. No problem.

" .--
SISTBR: I'm trying to listen to the news on television, but I can't hear it. '*
Would/Could/Can you please turn the volume up?
: .. . BROTHER: Of course
.
.<,. ,\

4,',
:Z SISTER: Thnaks so much
! BROTHER: Don't mention it.

5. HUSBAND: Honey, I'm out of razor blades. When you go to the store,
will/could/can you please pick some up?
I .i> WIFE: Sure honey

HUSBAND: Thanks
WIFE: Anythiig else?
 3 ; .
ERSON A: Hi. " '
,, .: ,#: .
s
. ' .,

&$;g?p:$+
... PERSON B: Hi. Walabaxitinpundoozit?
PERSON A: Excuse me? Could/Can you say that again?
PERSON B: Walabaxitinpundoozit.
PERSON A: I'm sorry, but I don't understand.
7. STRANGERA: Pardon me. I'm a stranger here. Would/Could/Can you tell me

where the nearest post office is?

I’m sorry, I’d like to help you but I don’t know where is the post office.
STRANGER B:
STRANGER A: Well, thanks anyway. 1'11 ask someone else.

EXERCISE 16. Summary: polite questions. (Charts 7-5 and 7-6)

Direcrions: Work in pairs. Create a dialogue for one or more of the following situations.
, The beginning of each dialogue is given. Role-play a dialogue for the rest of the class.
Example:
snwtmoN: You're in a restaurant. You want the waiter to refill your coffee cup. You catch
the waiter's eye and raise your hand slightly. He approaches your table.
DIALOGUE: Yes? What can I do for you?
SPEAKER A: Yes? What can I do for you?
SPEAKER B: Could I please have some more coffee?
SPEAKER A: Of course. Right away. Could I get you anything else?
SPEAKER B: NO thanks. Oh, on second thought, yes. Would you bring some cream too?
SPEAKER A: Certainly.
SPEAKER B: Thanks.

1. smAnoN: You've been waiting in line at a busy bakery. Finally, the person in front
of you is being waited on, and the clerk turns toward you.
DIALOGUE: Next!
2. SITUATION: YOUare at work. You feel sick. Your head is pounding, and you have a
slight fever. You really want to go home. You see your boss, Mr. Jenkins,
passing by your desk.
DIALOGUE: Mr. Jenkins?

3. SITUATION: Your cousin, Willy, is in the next room listening to music. You are talking
on the telephone. The music is getting louder and louder. Finally, you
can no longer hear your conversation over the phone. You put the phone
down and nun toward the door to the next room.
DIALOGUE: Wl'Uy!

4. SIlWAnON: The person next to you on the plane has finished reading his newspaper.
You would like to read it.
DIALOGUE: Excuse me.
5. smAnoN: You see a car on the side of the road with the hood raised and an older
man standing next to it. He looks tired and concerned. You pull over and
get out of your car to walk over to hi.
DIALOGUE: Do you need some help, sir?
Modal Auxlllarles 201