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What Do We Mean by Offer?
An 'offer' is a statement that is used to show that you are willing to do something for someone. There are different words and expression that you can use for this purpose.
Making Offers Using Modals in English
A number of modal verbs can be used to politely make offers in English:
Using 'Can'
The modal verb 'can' is used to make offers that are considered less formal. This modal verb can be used in affirmative and interrogative sentences to offer something. Here are some examples.
Can I get you a cold drink?
I can make you some coffee.
Using 'Could'
When making offers, 'could' does not express a past meaning. Rather, it makes a more indirect and polite offer in the present. For example:
We could pick you up on the way there.
Could we get you something to drink?
Using 'Would'
The modal verb 'would' is commonly used in combination with verbs such as 'like' or 'care' to soften the tone and offer something in a polite way. In this case, we ask whether the listener wants us to do something, or needs something; so the sentence is typically in the form of a question. Here are some examples:
Would you like a little bit of fresh air?
Would you care for some water?
Using 'May'
Using the modal verb 'may' to make offers is considered very formal in English. Like 'would,' 'may' is also mainly used in interrogative structures to make an offer. Additionally, the subject is typically a first-person pronoun ('I' or 'we'). Check out the examples.
May I help you?
May we assist you with your luggage?
Using 'Shall'
The rules that govern the use of 'may' apply to 'shall' as well. In other words, 'shall' is also used in formal contexts, is mostly used in interrogative structures, and takes first-person pronouns as its subject. Take a look at the examples below:
Shall I open the door for you, sir?
Shall we give you a copy of the photos?
Making Offers Using Other Verbs
Apart from the modal verbs discussed above, a few main verbs can also be used to make offers.
Using 'Let'
When we are almost sure that the person would accept our offer or say 'yes' to what we offer, we can use the verb 'let' before an object pronoun and the base form of the verb to make an informal offer. In this case, the sentence is typically in the form of an imperative. Check out the examples.
Let me cook tonight.
Let's go to MacDonald's.
Using 'Want'
The verb 'want' is used to make informal offers. This structure is very common in everyday speech, but does not suit more formal contexts.
Do you want a bowl of noodles?
Do you want me to help you with that?
Review
To offer something means to suggest to do something for someone. Here's a list of verbs that are commonly used to make offers in English:
can
could
would
may
shall
let
want
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences is the most formal way to make an offer?
Can I grab you a sandwich?
Do you want me to clean the table?
May I assist you with your coat?
Let me take your bag.
Choose the sentence that uses "would" correctly to make a polite offer.
Would I give you a ride to the station?
Would you like me to show you around the office?
Would we help you with your luggage?
Would they offer us a discount?
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Which of the following uses "let" correctly to make an offer?
Let I help you with that.
Let's I bring the files.
Let us to make you dinner.
Let me carry that box for you.
Match each sentence beginning with the correct ending.
Complete each sentence with the correct verb. (There is one extra option.)
me cook dinner for you tonight. You must be tired.
you like me to call a taxi for you?
we bring you some refreshments while you wait?
I assist you with your presentation materials?
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