American English Requests

The most popular choice of American English speakers when they want to borrow their professor's pen

May I borrow your pen? (US)

The most popular choice (US)

Can I borrow your pen?

The Least Popular
Would you lend me your pen?
Can you lend me your pen?



The most popular choice of American English speakers when they want to borrow their classmate's notes.

The most popular choice - Can I borrow your note?

The least popular:

May I borrow your note?
Can you lend me your note?
Would you lend me your note?


As you can see from the above, whether they ask a professor for a pen or classmates for their notes, Americans prefer to use 'Speaker-oriented' requests. The difference between the latter and the former is the formality of request.

Why are speaker-oriented requests preferred?

They often look like a request for permission. This means that the hearer, not the speaker, will have control over the speaker. Thus, this type of request avoids or minimize the possibility of imposing on the hearer, and hence it is considered as being more polite (at least to Americans). (CARLA, 2003)