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Pouvez-vous vs Pourriez-vous?

Namssob
New in Town
Posts: 6
Joined: May 14th, 2017 12:23 am

Pouvez-vous vs Pourriez-vous?

Postby Namssob » May 14th, 2017 1:17 am

Is the difference between these two the same/similar as in English? In other other words, "Can" and "Could" are commonly used interchangeably, but purists will argue that "Can" indicates ability, whereas "Could" is more often a request, but in some cases a hypothetical.

As a BRAND NEW french learner, does it matter if I just pick the easier one to say, for now, and then as I get more advanced, broaden my repertoire? And if this is fine, which one should I pick that will be more universal?

Pourriez-vous ouvrir la fenêtre?
OR
Pouvez-vous ouvrir la fenêtre?

Thank you!

community.french
Been Around a Bit
Posts: 27
Joined: November 24th, 2012 11:26 am

Re: Pouvez-vous vs Pourriez-vous?

Postby community.french » May 20th, 2017 7:19 pm

Bonjour Namsob !

You can write both and as you said, they are used interchangeably.
The use of the conditional with "pourriez-vous" is more polite.

Bon week-end !
Marie Alice
Team FrenchPod101.com

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Namssob
New in Town
Posts: 6
Joined: May 14th, 2017 12:23 am

Re: Pouvez-vous vs Pourriez-vous?

Postby Namssob » May 21st, 2017 12:08 am

Merci!

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