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[0188] Can you...? / Could you...?

🎲 Would you mind...?
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Used to make a request for someone to do something.
  • Could you...? is generally considered slightly more polite or tentative than Can you...?.

Origin

  • Standard grammatical structures using modal verbs (can, could) to ask about ability or possibility, which function pragmatically as requests.
  • Could is the past tense of can but is used here hypothetically, making the request sound less direct and therefore more polite.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Would you...? (Polite request)
  • Will you...? (More direct, can sound demanding)
  • Would you mind...? (More polite/formal)
  • Could you possibly...? (Even more tentative/polite)
  • Do me a favor and... (Informal)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Gimme that. (Very informal, can be rude) *Use with caution*
  • Pass the salt. (Imperative, direct)
  • You wanna grab that for me?

Vulgar/Emphatic: (Usually expressing frustration when making the request)

  • Can you fuckin' pass the salt already? *Very rude*

Milder / More Polite:

  • Would you be able to...?
  • I was wondering if you could...
  • If it's not too much trouble, could you...?

Situational Appropriateness

  • Can you...?: Generally acceptable in most informal and semi-formal situations. Can sometimes sound slightly demanding depending on tone and context.
  • Could you...?: Suitable for almost all situations, from informal to formal. Preferred when asking superiors or strangers.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Extremely unlikely to be misunderstood. The main nuance is the level of politeness conveyed by Can vs. Could. Using Can you when Could you is expected (e.g., to a boss) might seem slightly impolite.

Examples

  • Can you pass the salt?
  • Can you help me with this?
  • Could you please close the window?
  • Could you send me the file when you have a moment?

Dialogue

Sarah: Could you hand me that book?

Tom: Sure, here you go.

Sarah: Thanks.

Manager: Can you finish this report by end of day?

Employee: I'm not sure, I still have the other project to complete. Could I possibly get it to you tomorrow morning?

Manager: Okay, tomorrow morning is fine.

Social Media Examples

  • (In a group chat): Can you guys send me the notes from the meeting?
  • (Public request): Does anyone know a good plumber in the area? Could you share recommendations? #help #local

Response Patterns

  • Affirmative: Sure. / Okay. / Yes, of course. / No problem. / Certainly. (More formal)
  • Negative/Unable: Sorry, I can't right now. / I'm afraid I'm busy at the moment. / I wish I could, but...
  • Clarification: Which file? / Right now?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • After an affirmative response: The requester usually says Thanks or Thank you. The person asked then performs the action.
  • After a negative response: The requester might say Okay, no worries or try to find an alternative.
  • The person being asked might offer an alternative if they refuse: I can't right now, but I can help you in an hour.

Conversation Starter

  • Yes, can initiate an interaction focused on achieving a task.

Intonation

  • Typically rising intonation at the end, indicating a question.
  • Stress often falls on the main verb describing the action.
  • Can you PASS the salt?
  • Could you please CLOSE the window? (Stress on please adds politeness).

Generation Differences

  • Universal. The distinction in politeness between can and could is taught and generally observed, though Can you is very common informally.

Regional Variations

  • Universal in English. Some prescriptivists argue Can is only for ability and May for permission, but Can I...? for permission and Can you...? for requests are standard in modern usage.
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🎲 Would you mind...?