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Previous:   can, could, would: Requests

2.2.1.2.2    can and could: Permission and Offer

Can is sometimes used to ask or to give permission, or to offer, in an informal way. For example:

  •  Can I smoke here?

  •  You can’t smoke here, but you can smoke in the garden.

  •  Can I get you something to drink?

Could is sometimes used to ask or to give permission, or to offer, in a polite (formal) way. For example:

  •  Could I smoke here?

  •  Could I get you something to drink?

Next:   would

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