may、can、could 都可以用來表示請求,但使用上有什麼不同呢?

 

★ 語氣上,may 比 could 和 can 更正式,而 could 又比 can 更禮貌。

【最正式】May I please have another waffle?

【禮貌,但不正式】Could I please have another waffle?

【不正式】Can I have another waffle?

【沒禮貌】Give me another waffle.

 

★ may、can、could 常拿來表示「請求允許做某件事」。

If nobody is going to eat it, may I have the last piece of cake?

如果沒有人要吃,我可以吃這最後一塊蛋糕嗎?

Could I finish the grapes?

我可以把葡萄吃光嗎?

Can I put my feet up while I digest all the food I just ate?

我剛吃的食物還在肚裡沒消化完,我可以休息一下嗎?

 

★ could 和 can可 用來「請求他人幫忙」;may 則不能這麼用。

Could you help me with this test?

你可以幫我做這題測驗嗎?

Can you introduce me to her?

你能介紹我認識她嗎?

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※本文節錄自《彩圖初級英文文法Let's See!【四版】(菊8K+解答別冊)

※延伸閱讀:

[講堂] 撰寫和回覆邀請函

[講堂] 詢價信常用說法

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