English grammar
Would it be possible…? / Would you mind…? / Could you…?
Make extra-polite conditional requests.
From the scene Would it be possible…?
In short
For extra-polite requests, use would it be possible to + verb, would you mind + -ing, or could you + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with very polite: mind + -ing?
Options: Could you include...? · Would you mind giving me...? (+ -ing) · Would it be possible to...?
Show answer
very polite: mind + -ing → Would you mind giving me...? (+ -ing)
How it works
For extra-polite requests, English uses would it be possible + to + verb, would you mind + verb-ing, and could you + verb.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
(blank) also include breakfast?
Clue: a polite request to the receptionist
Options: Could you · Could you to · Could
Show answer
Could you also include breakfast?
¿Podría también incluir el desayuno?
Good to know
After mind, always use -ing: would you mind giving me...?, not "would you mind to give me".
Good to know
Don't drop it or to: would it be possible to have..., not "would be possible have".
very polite: is it possible? Would it be possible to...?
Elena
Yes, but... would it be possible to ask for something more?
Sí, pero... ¿sería posible pedir algo más?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, but... (blank) ask for something more?
Options: Would you mind giving me · Could you include · would it be possible to
Show answer
Elena
Yes, but... would it be possible to ask for something more?
Sí, pero... ¿sería posible pedir algo más?
very polite: mind + -ing Would you mind giving me...? (+ -ing)
Elena
And would you mind giving me one with air conditioning?
¿Y le importaría darme una con aire acondicionado?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) one with air conditioning?
Options: would you mind giving me · Would it be possible to · Could you include
Show answer
Elena
And would you mind giving me one with air conditioning?
¿Y le importaría darme una con aire acondicionado?
polite: could you Could you include...?
a room you can see out of a room with a view
Elena
Would it be possible to have a room with a view?
¿Sería posible una habitación con vistas?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Would it be possible to have (blank)?
Options: Could you include · a room with a view · Would you mind giving me
Show answer
Elena
Would it be possible to have a room with a view?
¿Sería posible una habitación con vistas?
Common mistake
Not would be it possible or would it possible here. Question order: the subject comes after the modal.
Yes, but... would it be possible to ask for something more?
Sí, pero... ¿sería posible pedir algo más?
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
| very polite: is it possible? | Would it be possible to...? |
|---|---|
| very polite: mind + -ing | Would you mind giving me...? (+ -ing) |
| polite: could you | Could you include...? |
| a room you can see out of | a room with a view |
More lines from the story
- ElenaI want to talk to the hotel too.Quiero hablar con el hotel yo también.
- ElenaCould you also include breakfast?¿Podría también incluir el desayuno?
- JaviWhat do you want to ask for, Doña Elena?¿Qué quiere pedir, Doña Elena?