Modal Verbs for Requests

Modal verbs are used in English to make polite requests.Can & CouldCan and Could are modal verbs used with other verbs to make
requests.

Can/Could + Subject + Verb

• Can you help me?
  
• Could you open the door?
  

Can is used to make a basic request.

• Can you pass me the salt?
  
• Can you turn off the radio?
  

Could is more polite than can, but has the same function.

• Could you pass me the salt?

• Could you turn off the radio?

Can/Could are used to turn basic orders into questions.  This
is a much more polite way of asking for something rather than
making an imperative command.

Give me the salt           =>        Can you pass me the salt?
Turn off the radio        =>        Could you turn off the radio?
Would
Would is used with the verb like.  It is a polite way to say want.

I want a drink.                (Direct)
I would like a drink.        (Polite)
Would you like is used to make offers.

• Would you like something to drink?

• Would you like another coffee?

I would like is used to make polite requests.

• I would like another glass of water please.

We can also use I would love, I would really like, I would
enjoy, etc.