Tham khảo tài liệu 'how to ask questions part 20', ngoại ngữ, ngữ pháp tiếng anh phục vụ nhu cầu học tập, nghiên cứu và làm việc hiệu quả | 6 You can use can followed by I or we when you are offering something to someone or offering to do something for them I m going into town this morning. Can I give you a lift Yes please. That would be marvellous. Can I give you a hand with all those bags They look heavy. They are Could you carry these two please Can we look after the baby while you carry your shopping in Yes please. That would be a great help. You look lost. Can I help you Yes please. I m trying to find King s Road. It s that street just across the road. Can we offer you a drink No thank you. I have to go now. It was formerly considered more correct to use may rather than can in this context but may is now usually used with this meaning only in formal situations Cood morning ladies. May we offer you a free sample of this wonderful new perfume You can make this offer of help sound more emphatic or persuasive by using can t instead of can Can t we at least give you a hand with the garden It s a lot of work for one person. That s very kind of you but I m going to employ someone to do most of the work. It must be difficult carrying the baby and all those bags upstairs. Can t you let me take the bags That would be a great help thanks. Using modal verbs to ask questions 129 7 You can use can especially with I or we in formal contexts to make a comment suggestion etc or ask a question In a polite way although can used in this way Is not as polite or formal as may or might Cơn I ask who recommended the firm to you My father did. Cơn we ask where you heard about the post 7 saw the ad In the local paper. Cơn say how pretty you look today Thank you. It s nice of you to say so. Cơn I suggest that you go for some counselling You ve had a terrible experience. I d like some information on that please. 1 Although this is a formal polite way of making a comment or asking a question you sometimes use it when you are angry or disapproving and you sometimes use it in rhetorical questions Can I ask what you hope to .
