CoCap
CoCap
7 phrases · A1 · A2 · B1
Every phrase below is a fixed shape you can fill in and use immediately, ordered from the simplest to the most advanced. Each one carries what it means in English and in Hindi, three examples that vary the slot, and the situations it actually gets said in.
Simplest first. The braces mark the part you change.
Ask permission to do something.
क्या मैं ___ कर सकता/सकती हूँ?
Anywhere · say it as: Can I / ask you something · used at work, shops and services, on the phone
Ask somebody to do something.
क्या आप ___ कर सकते हैं?
With friends · say it as: Can you / send me the file · used at work, everyday life
Ask somebody to do something, politely.
क्या आप कृपया ___ करेंगे?
Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: Could you please / repeat that · used at work, shops and services, on the phone
Ask permission politely.
क्या मैं ___ कर सकता/सकती हूँ? (विनम्र)
Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: Could I / ask you something · used at work, interviews
Ask for something that costs the other person some effort.
क्या आपको ___ करने में परेशानी होगी?
Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: Would you mind / opening the window · used at work, travelling
Check that something you want to do is alright with them.
क्या मैं ___ करूँ तो आपको ऐतराज़ है?
Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: Do you mind / if I join you · used at work, everyday life
Make a request that the other person can refuse comfortably.
मैं सोच रहा/रही था/थी कि क्या ___।
Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: I was wondering if / you could help me · used at work, college, on the phone
The versions that get said instead, and why they land differently.
| Commonly said | Correct English |
|---|---|
Can you to help me? | Can you help me? After "can", the verb never takes "to". |
Please do the needful. | Could you please send the invoice? "Do the needful" is common in Indian offices and unclear everywhere else. Say the actual thing you want. |
Would you mind to open the window? | Would you mind opening the window? After "mind", a verb takes -ing. This is the single most common mistake with this pattern. |
Do you mind if I will join? | Do you mind if I join? After "if I", use the plain present, even about the future. |
I was wondering if can you move the meeting. | I was wondering if we could move the meeting. After "if", the sentence goes back to normal order — no question word order inside it. |
The same phrases, sorted by the room you are standing in.
More phrase groups on the phrases index, or browse by situation on the speaking pages.
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