Everyday Grammar TV: Offering Coffee and Tea

Dr. J: If you are like me, then coffee or tea probably make up a big part of your day. In fact, my doctor told me I probably drink too much tea, but I don’t listen to her.
Dr. J: I drink a lot of tea, but I also enjoy offering coffee and tea to others. So how might we connect grammar with coffee and tea?
Dr. J: Let’s go visit John Russell. He is going to offer us something to drink.
JR: Would you like something to drink? I have coffee or tea.
DR. J: Note that John began his question with the modal “would.” A modal helps change the meaning of a main verb. "Would” helps us form a polite question.
Dr. J. Note that the subject, you, and “would” change from the usual order we find in statements.
Dr. J: A statement is: “You would like something to drink.”
To form a polite question, the subject and “would” switch places. That is why John said this:
JR: Would you like something to drink? I have coffee or tea.
Dr. J: Note that we can also use “can” in place of “would” to form the same question. Can is a little less formal. Let’s see how John might offer coffee or tea while using “can.”
JR: Can I get you something to drink? I have coffee or tea.
Dr. J: Here, the word order changes as it did with “would.” A statement might be “I can get you something to drink.” The question is this: Can I get you something to drink?
Dr. J: And that’s Everyday Grammar TV!
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