English grammar is very important — mastering English grammar is the key to learning English.
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“Could you please …?” is used to express “requesting someone to do something.” This is a general question form of could, not asking if the other party has the ability, but rather making a request, meaning “Could you please do …?” Could is the past tense of can, but “Could you please do sth?” does not indicate past time, it only indicates a difference in tone. Could is more polite than can.
1. “Could you please …?” is followed by the base form of the verb, that is: “Could you please do sth?” means “Could you please do something?”Example: “Could you please help me?” Could you please …? is a question, and we need to respond to its structure. So how do we respond to “Could you please …?”?
The responses to “Could you please …?” can be affirmative or negative.
Common affirmative responses: Yes, sure./Certainly./Of course./No problem.
Common negative responses: Sorry, …
For example: –Could you please finish your homework?
–Of course
2. The negative form of “Could you please do sth?” is formed by adding not before do, that is: “Could you please not do sth?” means: “Could you please not do something?” “Could you please not play games?” means “Could you please not play games?”
Practice: 1. Could you please open the window? — Sorry, I am busy.
2. Could you please not smoke here?