The tense chosen for pouvoir in this case is the conditional, which to me translates as "would you tell..." and not as "could you tell..." I get this wrong a lot and I am aware of the lesson but still err in regard to translating could. Help!
Could you tell our listeners...
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
FrankKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Could you tell our listeners...
This question relates to:French writing exercise "Camping with your dog"
Asked 8 months ago
The conditional of "can" is "could" in English, so the use of pouvoir in the conditional is called for.
Voudriez vous... -- would you like to...
Pourriez vous... -- could you...
Jim Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Frank,
I think it is the subtle distinction between pouvoir (to be able to) versus vouloir (to want to).
In the conditional, we expect to think of "could" versus "would" as I see it.
Perhaps it is this aspect that is the source of your confusion.
Bonne journée
Jim
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level