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May you give me water? vs Could you give me some water?

Both sentences are correct, but only the second is commonly used in English. It is a polite way to ask for water. 'May you give me water?' is uncommon, while 'Could you give me some water?' is a more natural and polite way to ask for water.
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Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 18, 2024 • 29330 views

May you give me water?

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in everyday English. It is a formal way to ask for something.

This phrase is a polite way to ask for water, but it is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversations.
  • May you give me water in every moment(56),. 16 nb ḫft dgȝ⸗tn ʿhʿ pn ḏr nty ỉnk šry. ʿḥʿ ỉwty wn⸗f ỉ nṯr pn špsy Mnw-Rʿ nb Ỉpw when you see(57) this stela ...
  • O you sycamore of Nut, may you give me water and the breath of air that is in you (spell 59, Allen (1974), p, 55); I live and thrive on bread (...) I eat it ...
  • Apr 6, 2019 ... 6 yrs. Roggers Businge. may you give me water for drinking coz am--- -/-//////. 6 yrs. Namuli Margie Kawuki. Ye mama. 6 yrs. Ayesiga Muzamiru.
  • ... may you give me water and the breath that is in you” (Allen 1974:55; Billing 2002:234). To give a final example, in BD. 64, the deceased declares, “I have ...

Alternatives:

  • Could you give me some water?
  • Would you mind giving me some water?
  • Might I have some water, please?
  • Can you pass me the water, please?
  • Would you be so kind as to give me some water?

Could you give me some water?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is a polite and common way to ask for something.

This phrase is a polite and common way to ask for water or any other item. It is widely used in everyday conversations.
  • Feb 5, 2023 ... What is the difference between "Could you give me some water" and "Can I have some water"? All related (34).
  • Mar 5, 2018 ... and could you give me some water? ? What is the difference between Would you give me some water? and Could you give me some water? ?
  • May 30, 2021 ... ... Could you give me some water?” because “bring me” implies asking ... “Could you give me some water” while not necessarily incorrect ...
  • Mar 15, 2016 ... Can I have some water please?/ Could you give me some water, please? This is more common and polite way. :) ...Read more. March 15, 2016. 0. 0 ...
  • Sep 17, 2020 ... Which sentence is more correct when I ask a barman to give me some water "Could you bring me some water" or "Could you give me some water"?
  • Dec 11, 2023 ... We just managed to teach her to ask for things politely (eg "Could you give me some water please", instead of "I want water") when we were at a playdate.
  • Jan 19, 2012 ... (2) During the meal, when your glass is empty, you could say to someone who has the water jug: 'Could you give me some water, please?' D ...
  • 18 hours ago ... Okay, could you give me some water now? — — —. It's been two weeks with no water you asshole. My leaves are about to wilt if you keep it up ...
  • May 3, 2024 ... ... could you give me some water? I will take it to the tree. The tree will give me leaves, which I will take to the goat. The goat will give me ...
  • Oct 7, 2014 ... ... [Could you give me some water?] = [mi-zu, ku-da-sa-i.] If you want to ask someone to hand something to you, you can say “so-re, ku-da-sa-i ...

Alternatives:

  • May you give me water?
  • Would you mind giving me some water?
  • Might I have some water, please?
  • Can you pass me the water, please?
  • Would you be so kind as to give me some water?

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