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Declaratives with can and could

418a

Can

and could in declarative form may be used to make offers:

A: Do you know Liverpool Airport at all? 

B: Never been. 

A: No? 

I can get directions for you

. That’s not a problem. 

B: Right. 

A: I was just wondering if I set my alarm and get up … 

B: 

I could wake you up at eight if you wanted

. 

A: I was thinking if you were coming in at, like, about half ten or something, you

could make sure I was up by then. But I think eight’s a little, a bit excessive. 

Interrogatives with can, could and may

418b

Can

, could and may also occur in interrogative form in offers. Could is more

polite and indirect than can, and may is the most polite/indirect:

A: 

Can I get you a cold drink?

B: That would be nice, thanks.

A: Jim’s arriving at six and I’m waiting for a call from Janet.

B: 

Could one of us pick him up for you?

A: Well, that’d be very kind of you. 

B: Mm. No problem.

May I get you something?

A coffee perhaps?