Can I / Can You…? Requests

Hook: “Can” isn’t just for ability — it’s also the easiest way to make a polite request.

Notice: “Can I have a coffee, please?” “Can you help me, please?” “Can you show me the way, please?”

The rule

Use Can I…? to ask for something for yourself, and Can you…? to ask someone else to do something. Add “please” to be polite. Answer with “Sure”/”Of course” or “Sorry, I can’t.”

Practice

  1. ___ I have a glass of water, please? (Answer: Can)
  2. ___ you help me find the station, please? (Answer: Can)
  3. Write 2 polite requests you might make while traveling.

Try it next: our DefinitionMatch tool — polite requests set.

Try the Definition Match Tool →

This lesson supports: “I can interact in a simple way” (Spoken Interaction).

Azizul Hakim
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