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...
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FrankKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Could you tell our listeners...
This question relates to:French writing exercise "Camping with your dog"
Asked 1 month 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
Frank asked:View original
Could you tell our listeners...
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!
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