Grammar Focus: Request with Modals and Would you mind?

UNIT 6 – Interchange 2TLI-FISDL Class

Escuela Americana Extension

Modals for Requests

It’s OK to say, “Please turn the stereo off” to people we know well. We should use a more polite request, however, for neighbors and strangers. Modals become more formal and more polite from can to could to would. Tone of voice is also important.

The structure “Would you mind...? + gerund is a very polite and formal request. The verb mind must be followed by a gerund (or verb + ing).

Modal + simple form of verb Can you turn the stereo off? Could you close the door, please? Would you please take the garbage out?

Would you mind... + gerund Would you mind turning the stereo down? Would you mind closing the door, please? Would you mind not putting your garbage here?