Could you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Could you" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to make a polite request or ask someone to do something. Example: "Could you please send me the report by the end of the day?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could you?

The New York Times

Could you therefore..."....

Independent

Could you elaborate?

The New Yorker

Could you tell me?

The New Yorker

"Could you repeat it?

Independent

Could you address that?

The New York Times

Could you believe it?

The New Yorker

Could you tell that?

The New Yorker

Could you do it?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Could you get sued?

The New York Times

Could you explain?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making a request, follow "Could you" with "please" to enhance politeness and show consideration for the person you are addressing.

Common error

While "Could you" is generally polite, avoid overusing it in very formal situations. Instead, consider alternatives like "Would you mind" or "Is it possible for you to" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Could you" primarily functions as a polite interrogative used to make requests or seek assistance. It softens the directness of a command, showing consideration for the person being addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Could you" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to make polite requests or inquiries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is "correct" and frequently used. Its register is neutral to slightly formal, making it suitable for a variety of contexts including news, science, and general communication. When aiming for more formality, consider alternatives like "Would you mind" or "Is it possible for you to". When using "Could you", remember to follow it with "please" for added politeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Would you mind

Replaces "could" with "would", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Can you

Uses "can" instead of "could", making the request less formal.

Is it possible for you to

Replaces the direct question with a more indirect and formal inquiry.

Would it be possible for you to

Adds further formality and politeness to the request.

I was wondering if you could

Introduces the request with a softening phrase, making it less direct.

Might you be able to

Uses "might" to suggest a possibility, softening the request.

Are you able to

Focuses on the ability to perform the action, rather than a direct request.

Do you think you could

Asks for an opinion on the possibility of performing the action.

May I ask you to

Uses "may" to ask for permission to make a request.

I would appreciate it if you could

Phrases the request as an expression of gratitude, making it more polite.

FAQs

How can I use "Could you" in a sentence?

Use "Could you" to make a polite request or ask for assistance. For example, "Could you please pass the salt?" or "Could you help me with this problem?"

What can I say instead of "Could you"?

You can use alternatives like "would you mind", "can you", or "is it possible for you to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Could you" or "Can you"?

"Could you" and "Can you" are both grammatically correct. However, "Could you" is generally considered more polite and formal than "Can you".

What's the difference between "Could you" and "Would you"?

"Could you" inquires about someone's ability to do something, while "Would you" asks for someone's willingness to do something. Although often used interchangeably in requests, knowing this difference helps ensure you are making the most appropriate inquiry. Consider using "would you mind" as alternative.