General information about offers, requests and suggestions

Modal verbs are used extensively for 'language acts' or functions such as offering, asking for things, expressing preferences. Fine shades of meaning are conveyed not only by the words themselves, but particularly by stress, intonation, and gesture. (Note that we can also make suggestions, etc. with non-modal forms, e.g. Have a drink Let's go to the zoo). In this section, offers, requests, etc. are considered from six points of view under two headings:

Things and substances

1 Offering things and substances + appropriate responses.

2 Requests for things and substances + appropriate responses.

Actions

3 Making suggestions, inviting actions + appropriate responses.

4 Requesting others to do things for you + appropriate responses.

5 Offering to do things for others + appropriate responses.

6 Suggestions that include the speaker.

Things and substances: offers with modals

Typical offers inviting Yes/No responses

Can/Could I offer you

Will'Won't you have a sandwich/some coffee?

Would Wouldn t you like

Modals for offers, requests, suggestions

Typical responses

There are many non-modal forms (Ves please No thank you etc) and a few modal ones:

Yes, I'd like one/some please Yes, I'd love one/some please However, we don't usually repeat the modal when we refuse an off A reply like Wo. / won 'fin answer to Will you have? could sound rude [> 11 74.1].

11.35.3 Typical offers with 'What'

What will you have⁹ What would you like to have? What would you prefer? What would you rather have?

Things and substances: requests with modals

11.36.1 Typical requests inviting Yes/No responses [> 11.19-20 13.6]

Can/Could/May/Might I have a sandwich/some coffee (please)-?

11.36.2 Typical responses
Of course you can/may (Not *could/might* [compare > 11.23])

No, you can't/may not (I'm afraid)

(These answers with modals would be likely where e.g a parent is addressing a child. Adult responses would be e.g. Certainly or I'm afraid there isn't any, etc.)

Actions: suggestions/invitations with modals

Typical suggestions inviting Yes/No responses

Will you/Won't you /Would you/Wouldn't you like to come for a walk (with me)?

Typical responses

(Yes.) I'd like to I'd love to

(No,) I'd prefer not to, thank you Note that to must follow like, love, etc. [> 16.17]. Negative responses like No, I won't are not appropriate [> 11.74.1].