Modal verbs like can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, would are helping verbs that express ideas like ability, permission and asking for assistance. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. Examples are provided for the different uses of each modal verb. Common polite expressions for making requests using modal verbs are also outlined, along with examples of dialogs demonstrating polite requests and responses.

1. By Lulu Sonya from IX-2
Source :
1.http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-polite.htm
2.http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/hilfsverben2.htm
3.http://cositasdeoda.blogspot.com/2012/07/helping-verbs.html
4.http://eltnotebook.blogspot.com/2007/03/teaching-polite-requests-part-two.html

2. Polite Request
These some example questions are made with modal verbs:
1) can
Use Examples
ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form:
I can speak English.
to be able to)
permission to do sth. in the present (substitute
Can I go to the cinema?
form: to be allowed to)
Request Can you wait a moment, please?
Offer I can lend you my car till tomorrow.
Suggestion Can we visit Grandma at the weekend?
Possibility It can get very hot in Arizona.
2) could
Use Examples
ability to do sth. in the past
I could speak English.
(substitute form: to be able to)
permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form:
I could go to the cinema.
to be allowed to)
polite question * Could I go to the cinema, please?
polite request * Could you wait a moment, please?
polite offer * I could lend you my car till tomorrow.
polite suggestion * Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?
possibility * It could get very hot in Montana.
3) may
Use Examples
Possibility It may rain today.
permission to do sth. in the present (substitute
May I go to the cinema?
form: to be allowed to)
polite suggestion May I help you?

3. 4) might
Use Examples
possibility (less possible than may) * It might rain today.
hesitant offer * Might I help you?
5) must
Use Examples
force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today.
Possibility You must be tired.
advice, recommendation You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.
6) must not/may not
Use Examples
You mustn't work on dad's computer.
Prohibition
You may not work on dad's computer.
7) need not
Use Examples
I needn't go to the supermarket, we're going to
not necessary
the restaurant tonight.
8) ought to
Use Examples
Advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.
You ought to switch off the light when you
Obligation
leave the room.
9) shall
instead of will in the 1st person
Use Examples
Suggestion Shall I carry your bag?

4. 10) should
Use Examples
Advice You should drive carefully in bad weather.
You should switch off the light when you leave
Obligation
the room.
11) will
Use Examples
wish, request, demand, order (less polite than
Will you please shut the door?
would)
prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday.
Promise I will stop smoking.
spontaneous decision Can somebody drive me to the station? - I will.
Habits She's strange, she'll sit for hours without talking.
12) would
Use Examples
wish, request (more polite than will) Would you shut the door, please?
Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas
like ability,permission, and asking for assistance. Many modal verbs have more
than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb.
For example:
- Could you help me for a minute, please?
- Would you give me a blanket, please?

5. ::The Patterns of Asking for Help Politely::
1. To ask questions in a very polite way, use:
Would you/ Could you (please) + simple verb + ...?
For example:
-Andi : Would you please email that document to me? I need it
ASAP*.
- Rita : Could you explain that again, please? I didn’t understand.
- Andi : *ASAP = as soon as possible
2. To ask questions in a polite but more casual way, say:
Will you/ Can you (please) + simple verb + ...?
For example:
- Will you please answer the phone? I’m working.
- Can you hold my books for me? My hands are full.
3. We do not use the word“may” in a polite question when “you”is the subject.
For example:
- Mayyou please close the door? Wrong!
- Could you please close the door? Right!
- May I go to hospital? Right!
The word “please” makes the request more polite and less direct

6. :: Replying The Request ::
-PositiveReply-
Yes. Yes certainly. Yes, of course. I’d be happy to.
Certainly. Of course. I’d be glad to.
My pleasure.
Informally, we can say:
- Sure.
- Okay.
- Uh-huh. (means yes)
-Negative Reply-
- No.
- Sorry.
- No, I’m sorry. I can’t.
- Sorry, I can’t. I’m busy right now.
- I’d like to, but I can’t.
- I’d love to, but I’m busy right now.

7. ::The Chart about Informal or Formal Polite Request::
DEGREE OF
POLITE REQUEST EXAMPLE
FORMALITY
I would be grateful if you could get here before
I would be Formal
five.
Can be used in
Will I will open the door for you, if you like.
both situations
May May I have a look at your paper? Formal
I can help you, if you like.
Can Can you check if your door is closed, Informal
please?
Could I have something to drink, pease?
could Can be used in
Could I borrow your pen,please?
both situations
Could you take me to the church, please??
Formal – you
don’t know if
Do you think you Do you think you could take me to a
your request will
could nightclub?
bother the
listener
Formal – you
don’t know f
Would it be all right /
Would it be all right if I picked you up at 7? your request will
ok if
bother the
listener.
Formal - you
don’t know if
Would you mind taking me downtown today
Would you mind your request will
instead of tomorrow?
bother the
listener.

8. ::Examples Of Dialog::
1. A : Would you mind if i turned off the lamp?
B : No, i don’t mind.
2. A : Do you mind if i turn on television?
B : No at all.
3. A : Could i borrow some money from you,please?
B : I am sorry i can’t.
4. A : Would you mind clsing the door for us, please?
B : Why not.
5. A : May I speak with you?
B : Sure.
6. A : May I come in 10 minutes late tomorrow? I need to take my
daughter to school.
B : Yes, you can. Thank you for asking
7. A : Would you mind lending me yours?
B : Sorry. It doesn’t belong to me.
8. A : Could you show me how to make fried rice?
B : Sure.
9. A : Take this note to the accounting department?
B : Yes, certainly.
10. A : Would you like me to get you a cup tea?
B : That would be very nice of you.
11. A : May i borrow your dictionary? I need to look up a new word
B : Sure, Here you are.
12. A : Could you tell me the way to turn it off?
B : That’s ok.
13. A : Can you show me how to update an anti virus?
B :Sorry, I don’t know either.

9. 14. A : Can you show me how to set the TV channels?
B : I’m sorry, i can’t.
15. A : Would you mind repeating what you just said?
B : Why not.
16. A : Would you mind waiting for a minute?
B : No, I will wait.
17. A : Would you give me a ride home?
B : Sorry. I'm not going in that direction.
18. A : Would you mind joining my club?
B : Ok, sounds good.
19. A : Would you mind if I take your coat?
B : Of course not.
20. A : Could you turn off the radio?
B : Of course, sorry if it bothers.