English grammar
Register in offers: Fancy a…? (casual) vs Would you care for…? (very formal)
Choose the right register for offers: Fancy a…? with friends, Would you care for…? when being very polite.
From the scene Would you care for a coffee?
In short
Fancy a coffee? is casual and Would you care for…? very formal. Would you like…? is always safe.
Your turn
Which one goes with safe in any situation?
Options: would you like a coffee? · fancy a beer? · would you care for some lunch?
Show answer
safe in any situation → would you like a coffee?
How it works
English has only one you, so politeness and closeness go into the words you choose.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Of course. "Would you (blank) for lunch, dear?" That's how my dad talks to her.
Options: care · like · mind
Show answer
Of course. "Would you care for lunch, dear?" That's how my dad talks to her.
Claro. «¿Le apetecería almorzar, querida?» Así le habla mi papá.
Good to know
Fancy a coffee? is relaxed British English among friends and family.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Not at all. In Antioquia, being (blank) is also affectionate.
Options: formality · formal · formally
Show answer
Not at all. In Antioquia, being formal is also affectionate.
Qué va. En Antioquia, el usted también es de cariño.
Good to know
Would you care for some coffee? is very formal: waiters, ceremonies, or someone being oddly polite.
Good to know
Would you like…? sits in the middle and is always safe. Using the very formal version with your partner sounds cold, or suspicious!
casual, British: Fancy + noun? fancy a beer?
Javi
Here it depends on the relationship. With my cousins: "Fancy a beer?" That means closeness.
Aquí depende del trato. Con mis primos: «¿Una birra?». Eso es confianza.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Here it depends on the relationship. With my cousins: "(blank)?" That means closeness.
Options: Fancy a beer · Would you like a coffee · Would you care for some lunch
Show answer
Javi
Here it depends on the relationship. With my cousins: "Fancy a beer?" That means closeness.
Aquí depende del trato. Con mis primos: «¿Una birra?». Eso es confianza.
safe in any situation would you like a coffee?
Your turn
What goes with would you like a coffee??
Options: safe in any situation · casual, British: Fancy + noun? · very formal: Would you care for + noun?
Show answer
would you like a coffee? → safe in any situation
very formal: Would you care for + noun? would you care for some lunch?
respectful title + name Don Ramón · Mrs Smith
Your turn
What goes with Don Ramón · Mrs Smith?
Options: respectful title + name · casual, British: Fancy + noun? · safe in any situation
Show answer
Don Ramón · Mrs Smith → respectful title + name
too formal for a partner (= guilty!) my darling, would you care for…?
Javi
My darling, would you care for a little coffee?
Mi amor, ¿usted quiere un cafecito?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) a little coffee?
Options: Would you like a coffee · My darling, would you care for · Fancy a beer
Show answer
Javi
My darling, would you care for a little coffee?
Mi amor, ¿usted quiere un cafecito?
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
| casual, British: Fancy + noun? | fancy a beer? |
|---|---|
| safe in any situation | would you like a coffee? |
| very formal: Would you care for + noun? | would you care for some lunch? |
| respectful title + name | Don Ramón · Mrs Smith |
| too formal for a partner (= guilty!) | my darling, would you care for…? |
More lines from the story
- JaviOf course. "Would you care for lunch, dear?" That's how my dad talks to her.Claro. «¿Le apetecería almorzar, querida?» Así le habla mi papá.
- JaviNot at all. In Antioquia, being formal is also affectionate.Qué va. En Antioquia, el usted también es de cariño.
- NuriaTo his wife? Are they angry with each other?¿A su mujer? ¿Están enfadados?
- ElenaIn Madrid it's for respect. Ramón and I have been formal for forty years.En Madrid es de respeto. Yo a Ramón le hablo de usted desde hace cuarenta años.