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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

polite request

I can't really grasp the polite request rule. How would you puctuate the following sentence?
Can you specify a time frame
I really want to put a question mark at the end, because it seems like a true question, not a polite request for something. I'd appreciate some help in understanding this.
  

Top answer

It could be either a question or a request. Question - you don't know if they are able to specify a time frame or not and want to find out. Here 'can' means 'are you able to'.

— Nona the brit

  • It could be either a question or a request.
  • Question - you don't know if they are able to specify a time frame or not and want to find out.
  • Here 'can' means 'are you able to'.
  • Can you specify a time frame?
  • Request - you are politely telling them to specify a time frame.
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1 Answers
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It could be either a question or a request.

Question - you don't know if they are able to specify a time frame or not and want to find out. Here 'can' means 'are you able to'. Can you specify a time frame?

Request - you are politely telling them to specify a time frame. You are giving an instruction. Can you specify a time frame.
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