Question about sentences
Dear all,
I would like to get your help. I know that "Could I have your phone number" is more polite form of "Can I have your phone number". But recently one of my friends who is a teacher has argued that"Could I have your phone number" is the past form of "Can I have your phone number". She also advised me to use "I would like to get your phone number" if I wish to be polite. Kindly enlighten me.
Thank you.
Top answer
cat navy 425 recently one of my friends who is a teacher has argued that"Could I have your phone number" is the past form of "Can I have your phone number". Yes, that's true. 'could' may be considered the past tense of 'can' — though 'could' is used in so many ways other than to express past time that it's just as well if we consider it a form with many uses.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
cat navy 425recently one of my friends who is a teacher has argued that"Could I have your phone number" is the past form of "Can I have your phone number".
Yes, that's true. 'could' may be considered the past tense of 'can' — though 'could' is used in so many ways other than to express past time that it's just as well if we consider it a form with many use
0cat navy 425She also advised me to use "I would like to get your phone number" if I wish to be polite.
That is also polite, but your other choice "Could I ...?" is also polite. You can use either one.
CJ
0