Business English A2 · Lesson 6A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

Polite modals & time prepositions in context

2 structures

can / could for polite requests
Asking for things and offering help politely.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›Can you…? — neutral. Could you…? — more polite.
- ›Can I / Could I… ? to ask permission.
- ›Add please and soften with possibly / just.
- ›Answers: Of course. / Sure. / I'm afraid I can't.
Examples
- “Could you send me the file, please?”
- “Can I use this room for ten minutes?”
- “Could I possibly call you back later?”
Watch out · Could is not past here — it's politeness.
Your own example
Prepositions of time and place (at / on / in)
Three small words for clock time, days, months and places.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›at + clock time and points: at 9 a.m., at night, at the airport.
- ›on + days and dates: on Monday, on 3 May, on the table.
- ›in + months, years, parts of the day, cities: in July, in 2026, in the morning, in Lisbon.
Examples
- “The call is at 4 p.m. on Thursday.”
- “She joined the company in 2021.”
- “We're in the meeting room, at the back.”
Watch out · No preposition before next / last / every: I'll call you next week.
Your own example