Examples:
(a) Would you pass the salt (please)?
(b) Will you (please) pass the salt?
The meaning of would you and will you in a polite request is the same. Would you is more common and is often considered more polite. The degree of politeness, however, is often determined by the speaker's tone of voice.
(c) Could you pass the salt?
Basically, could you and would you have the same meaning. The difference is slight:
Would you = Do you want to do this please?
Could you = Do you want to do this please, and is it possible for you to do this?
Could you and would you are equally polite.
(d) Can you pass the salt?
Can you is often used informally. It usually sounds less polite than could you or would you.
Typical Responses:
Yes, I'd (I would) be happy to.
Yes, I'd be glad to.
Certainly,
Sure. (Informal)
Cheers!
Naeem
(a) Would you pass the salt (please)?
(b) Will you (please) pass the salt?
The meaning of would you and will you in a polite request is the same. Would you is more common and is often considered more polite. The degree of politeness, however, is often determined by the speaker's tone of voice.
(c) Could you pass the salt?
Basically, could you and would you have the same meaning. The difference is slight:
Would you = Do you want to do this please?
Could you = Do you want to do this please, and is it possible for you to do this?
Could you and would you are equally polite.
(d) Can you pass the salt?
Can you is often used informally. It usually sounds less polite than could you or would you.
Typical Responses:
Yes, I'd (I would) be happy to.
Yes, I'd be glad to.
Certainly,
Sure. (Informal)
Cheers!
Naeem
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