Elementary 📐 Grammar · #61 of 305

Could and Would You (Requests)

Polite requests.

Examples

  • Could you help me?
  • Would you mind waiting?

Key rules

  • Could you + base verb is a polite request
  • Would you mind + -ing is very polite: Would you mind waiting?
  • Can you is less formal
  • Reply: Sure, Of course, Sorry I can't

Common mistakes

  • Could you to help me? → Could you help me?
  • Would you mind to wait? → Would you mind waiting?
💡 Tip: Add please and use could in formal situations.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Elementary quiz
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