Skip to main content

Instructions and requests: will, would, can, could, might, shall

Instructions, requests and suggestions: will, would, can, could, might​

We can use will you …? to tell people to do things. Would you …? is less direct and more polite.

  • Will you get me a newspaper while you’re out?
  • Will you be quiet, please!
  • Make me a cup of coffee, will you?
  • Would you open a window, please?

If you will/would … can be used in polite requests.

  • If you’ll just wait here for a moment, I’ll see if Mr Andrews is free.
  • If you would come this way …

Can and could are used to give instructions or make requests. Could is less direct and more polite.

  • Can you put the children to bed?
  • Could you lend me £5 until tomorrow?
  • Do you think you could help me for a few minutes?

Could and might are often used in suggestions.

  • When you’ve finished the dishes you could iron the clothes, if you like.
  • If you don’t know what to do, you could sort out your photos.
  • You might see if John’s free this evening.
note

For more about if … will, (see here).

Asking for instructions and decisions: shall​

Questions with shall I/we are used (in both British and American English) to ask for instructions or decisions, to offer services, and to make suggestions. In American English, this is rather formal. Will is not used in this way.

  • Shall I open a window? (not Will I open a window?)
  • Shall I carry your bag?
  • What time shall we come and see you?
  • What on earth shall we do?
  • Shall we go out for a meal?
  • Let’s go and see Lucy, shall we?

Criticisms: You could have told me …​

Could and might can be used to criticise people for not doing things.

  • You could ask before you borrow my car.
  • You might try to be nicer to my mother.

Could/might have … + past participle can be used in criticisms about past behaviour.

  • You could have told me you were getting married.
  • She might have warned us she was going to stay out all night.