Modal Verbs for Offers

Modal verbs can be used to make offers. This modal verbs for offers lesson shows you how to use would and can. You can find the links to the exercises at the bottom of the page.

Would you like…?

The most common way to make an offer in English is to use the verb would. Here is the structure:

Would + You + Like + Noun

Examples:

Would you like a drink?
Would you like some help?
Would you like more coffee?

Invitations

You can also use this structure to make an invitation, which is a different type of offer. Use this structure:

Would + You + Like + Infinitive Verb (To + Verb)

Examples:

Would you like to go to the movie theatre tonight?
Would you like to watch television with me?
Would you like to meet next week?

Answers

To answer offers, you can also use would.

Yes, I would.

There are many other less formal ways to accept and offer:

Sure. That sounds great!
Yes, please.
That would be nice, thank you.
Yes, that would be great.

To decline an offer, you can use would:

No, I would not.

But, this is often too rude. It is better to say something like these examples:

No, thank you.
I am OK, thanks.
I’m fine, thanks.

Can

You can also make an offer using can. This is less formal than using would. The structure looks like this:

Can + I + Base Verb + Object (You)

Examples:

Can I help you?
Can I bring you a drink?

These requests are normally for small things.