Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (28 page)

Could I have the bill?
Go to Check, please.

Could I have the check?
Go to Check, please.

Could I help you?
Could I assist you? (Said by shopkeepers, clerks, food service workers, and telephone answerers. Also used with
can
or
may
in place of
could
.)
The clerk came over and said, “Could I help you?
”
C
LERK
: May I help you? M
ARY
: No, thanks. I'm just looking.

Could I join you?
AND
(Do you) care if I join you?; (Do you) mind if I join you?
Will you permit me to sit with you? (An inquiry seeking permission to sit at someone's table or join someone else in some activity. Also used with
can
or
may
in place of
could
.)
Tom came into the café and saw Fred and Sally sitting in a booth by the window. Coming up to them, Tom said, “Could I join you?
”
“Do you mind if I join you?” asked the lady. “There are no other seats.
”

Could I leave a message?
the phrase used on the telephone to request that a message be written down for a person who is not available to come to the telephone. (Also with
can
or
may
.)
B
ILL
: Can I talk to Fred? M
ARY
: He's not here. B
ILL
: Could I leave a message? M
ARY
: Sure. What is it?
“May I leave a message?” asked Mary politely.

Could I see you again?
Could we go out on another date sometime? (Also with
can
or
may
.)
T
OM
: I had a wonderful time, Mary. Can I see you again? M
ARY
: Call me tomorrow, Tom. Good night
.
“Could I see you again?” muttered Tom, dizzy with the magic of her kiss.

Could I see you in my office?
I want to talk to you in the privacy of my office. (Typically said by the boss to an employee. Also used with
can
or
may
in place of
could
.)
“Mr. Franklin,” said Bill's boss sort of sternly, “could I see you in my office for a minute? We need to talk about something.
”
S
UE
: Could I see you in my office? J
OHN
: Sure. What's cooking?

Could I speak to
someone
?
AND
Can I speak to
someone
?; May I speak to
someone
?
the phrase used to request to talk to a particular person, usually on the telephone. (The
someone
stands for a person's name. Also used with
talk
in place of
speak
.)
T
OM
(answering the phone): Good morning, Acme Air Products. With whom do you wish to speak? B
ILL
: Can I speak to Mr. Wilson? T
OM
: One moment
.
S
ALLY
: May I speak to the manager, please? C
LERK
: Certainly, madam. I'm the manager.