Learn English and meet people on the world’s largest EFL social network

Could or May

General English Grammar & Vocabulary,... » ESL General English Grammar Questions

We have partnered with TradePub to bring you free industry magazines and resources - no coupons or credit cards required!

Visit: englishforums.tradepub.com


Share this topic:
This question is Not Answered
Latest post Sat, May 17 2008 11:31 AM by Marius Hancu. 2 replies.
Suggest an answer | | |
Cogar  +  514728 Sat, 17 May 08 08:30 AM
Hello,

 Which is more polite?

 1. Could we borrow your book please? 

OR

2. May we borrow your book please?

 

Thank you.

Cogar
Joined on Sun, Apr 8 2007
Full Member 187
Mister Micawber  +  514746 Sat, 17 May 08 09:18 AM
.
They are both quite polite.  English does not have a strict gradation in courtesy language-- much of it is in the way the words are said.
Mister Micawber
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member 30,501
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
Related discussions
Marius Hancu, 1 yr 174 days ago
 May is more related with permission, but here could means just the same.
Welcome to Englishforums.com, the world's largest EFL / TEFL social network.

Places to start

Browse Englishforums

© MediaCet Ltd. 2009, v5.0.3598.39794. All content posted by our users is a contribution to the public domain, this does not include imported usenet posts.*
For web related enquires please contact us on webmaster@mediacet.com, status updates are available at status.mediacet.com.
*Usenet post removal: Use 'X-No-Archive'. You may not have understood that your posts would end up in the public domain. Please send proof of the poster's email, we will remove immediately.