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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

"Could/can I give you a ride?"

0 Could I give you a ride?02br
00 Can I give you a ride?02br
02br
00I wonder are the differences in meaning between the two. I am guessing that 'could' suggests courtesy. 02br
02br
00Thanks 0-
  

Top answer

12blockquote 10 Maybe not exactly courtesy. To my ear, 01i 00could02i 00 is weaker than 01i 00can02i 00. In many cases, weakening your word choice from 01i 00can02i 00 to 01i 00could02i 00 makes a statement seem more courteous because you aren't pushing yourself forward so strongly on another person.

— CalifJim

  • 12blockquote 10 Maybe not exactly courtesy.
  • To my ear, 01i 00could02i 00 is weaker than 01i 00can02i 00.
  • In many cases, weakening your word choice from 01i 00can02i 00 to 01i 00could02i 00 makes a statement seem more courteous because you aren't pushing yourself forward so strongly on another person.
  • 02i 02br 00CJ 0-
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2 Answers
0
0 01blockquote
01cite10Peaceblinkfriend12cite10I am guessing that 'could' suggests courtesy.12blockquote
10 Maybe not exactly courtesy. To my ear, 01i00could02i00 is weaker than 01i00can02i00. In many cases, weakening your word choice from 01i00can02i00 to 01
0
0
0Ah I see. So when I ask someone for a favour, I use 'could' to sound polite. However, if I am making an offer to someone, it is better to use 'can' instead. 02br
02br
00Thanks again Jim. 0-
0

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