When we offer, we ask someone if they would like to have something or if they would like us to do something for them. We usually sayyes, pleaseorno, thankswhen we reply to offers.
Offers of food or drinks
A:Would you likesome cake?
B:Oh yes, please. It looks delicious.
A:Can I get youmore juice?
B:No, thanks.
In more informal offers, we can usewantor a noun phrase with a questioning intonation:
Do you wantsome more salad, Peter?
A:Wantsome of mysandwich?
B:No, thanks.
A:Tea?
B:Oh yes, please.
Offers to do something for someone
A:Shall Iwash the car?
B:Oh, that would be great, thanks.
A:Would you like me towalk you home?
B:No, thanks.
We don’t use the present simple to offer to do something for someone. We most commonly use’ll:
I’lldo the ironing if you want.
Not:I do the ironing…
Jim’s doing nothing.He’llwalk the dog for you if you like.
Offers to do something in different situations
[A is visiting B’s house. B is preparing dinner]
A:Isthere anything I can do?
B:Actually yes, you can chop these carrots while I wash the potatoes.
[in a shop, A is the shop assistant and B is the customer]
A:Can I help you?
B:No, thanks. I’m just looking around.
[on a telephone helpline]
A:Hi my name is Inez.How may I help you?
B:Well, there’s something wrong with my internet connection …
[at an information desk]
A:What can I do for you?
B:I’m interested in seeing the city centre. Is there a bus tour, or something like that, that I can take?
When we are almost certain that a person would like something, we can uselet me:
Let meget you some more soup.
Let mecarry your bag. That’s too heavy for you.
See also:
Would
Can