English grammar
Could I...? / Could you...? — polite requests
Make a polite phone call.
From the scene Could I speak with…?
In short
Ask politely with Could I + verb to do it yourself, or Could you + verb for someone else. No to.
Your turn
Which one goes with a message?
Options: Could I leave a message? · Could I speak with...? · Could you speak more slowly? (not "could you to speak")
Show answer
a message → Could I leave a message?
How it works
Could I + verb asks politely to do something yourself (Could I leave a message?); Could you + verb asks someone else to do it (Could you speak more slowly?).
Good to know
Here could is not past — it's just polite. Never add to: not "Could you to speak...?".
asking for someone Could I speak with...?
Nuria
Good morning. Could I speak with Mrs Ruiz?
Buenos días. ¿Podría hablar con la señora Ruiz?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Good morning. (blank) Mrs Ruiz?
Options: Could I leave a message · Could you speak more slowly · Could I speak with
Show answer
Nuria
Good morning. Could I speak with Mrs Ruiz?
Buenos días. ¿Podría hablar con la señora Ruiz?
a message Could I leave a message?
Nuria
She is not in? Could I leave a message?
¿No está? ¿Podría dejar un mensaje?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She is not in? (blank)?
Options: Could I leave a message · Could I speak with · Could you speak more slowly
Show answer
Nuria
She is not in? Could I leave a message?
¿No está? ¿Podría dejar un mensaje?
asking someone to do it Could you speak more slowly? (not "could you to speak")
Nuria
Sorry? Could you speak more slowly, please?
¿Perdón? ¿Podría hablar más despacio, por favor?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sorry? (blank), please?
Options: Could I leave a message · Could you speak more slowly · Could I speak with
Show answer
Nuria
Sorry? Could you speak more slowly, please?
¿Perdón? ¿Podría hablar más despacio, por favor?
asking someone (a joke) Could you be...?
Nuria
Doña Elena, could you be my secretary?
Doña Elena, ¿podría ser usted mi secretaria?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, (blank) my secretary?
Options: Could I speak with · Could I leave a message · could you be
Show answer
Nuria
Doña Elena, could you be my secretary?
Doña Elena, ¿podría ser usted mi secretaria?
asking to wait one moment, please
Nuria
Sorry? Could you speak more slowly, please?
¿Perdón? ¿Podría hablar más despacio, por favor?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sorry? Could you speak more slowly, (blank)?
Options: Could I leave a message · please · Could I speak with
Show answer
Nuria
Sorry? Could you speak more slowly, please?
¿Perdón? ¿Podría hablar más despacio, por favor?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| asking for someone | Could I speak with...? |
|---|---|
| a message | Could I leave a message? |
| asking someone to do it | Could you speak more slowly? (not "could you to speak") |
| asking someone (a joke) | Could you be...? |
| asking to wait | one moment, please |
More lines from the story
- ElenaHello, could I speak with...? Carmen? It's Elena!Hola, ¿podría hablar con...? ¿Carmen? ¡Soy Elena!
- ElenaWho are you talking to, dear? Is it the company?¿Con quién hablas, cariño? ¿Es la empresa?