MODALS FOR DISTANCING

·                The modal verbs could, would and might are sometimes used instead of present tenses when we want to make a question or request sound less direct.

Questions with modals do not use an auxiliary. The word order is indirect.

Could you tell me where the nearest bank is?

NOT Could you possibly tell me where is the nearest bank?

·                A more tentative way of making a request is could … possibly. We only use this when we think that our interruption may be unwelcome for a particular reason.

Could you possibly tell me how to get to the station from here?

·                We use would and might in requests and offers. Might is more tentative.

Would you be interested in our latest promotion? (offer)

Might you prefer to sit near the window? (offer)

Might you take your feet off the seat, please? (request)

·                We can use might in the first person to introduce an indirect question, in expressions such as Might I ask …?

Might I ask who your meeting is with?

·                Would can also be used before verbs of saying and thinking to make a statement sound more tentative and an instruction less direct.

I would think we’ll reach the hotel by five o’clock.

We would ask that guests requiring breakfast in their rooms Infor us by midnight.

·                We can use would, could and might after the verb wonder.

I was wondering if you could do something for me.

We wondered if you would/might give a donation to charity.