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Hanuman_2000 Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Would/could

Sir,


Could you do me a favour?

How do I interpret this sentence?
It means "It is possible for you to do favour me." or any thing else.
Please help me.


Would you do me a favour?

What does it mean?

It means "are you willing to do favour me".

Is it ok?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

You are working here with indirect speech acts. In these cases the literal meaning is not the same as what we might call the social meaning. " Its meaning in the real world of social interactions is quite different.

— CalifJim

  • You are working here with indirect speech acts.
  • In these cases the literal meaning is not the same as what we might call the social meaning.
  • " Its meaning in the real world of social interactions is quite different.
  • ", we are actually telling him that we already know that the answer is "Yes", and we are indirectly commanding him to do something by (needlessly) questioning his ability to do it.
  • The hearer recognizes the formula as a signal that the words are not to be taken literally.
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1 Answers
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You are working here with indirect speech acts. In these cases the literal meaning is not the same as what we might call the social meaning.

"Could you do me a favour?" literally asks something like "Do you have the physical ability to do me a favour?"
Its meaning in the real world of social interactions is quite different. By asking a person if he has the ability to do something
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