Is it alright to use "Pourrais-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite en attendant ?" What would be the difference in using pourrais and puis, if any? Thank you.
Puis-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite en attendant ?
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Jenk O.Kwiziq community member
Puis-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite en attendant ?
This question relates to:French writing exercise "Complaining about a hotel room"
Asked 2 years ago
Hi Jenk,
For me the difference is between:
Could I offer you a complimentary hot drink? = Pourrais-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite ?
and
May I offer you a complimentarty hot drink? = Puis- je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite ?
Both as polite, let's see what others think ...
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
"Puis-je" is the standard way to phrase this kind of polite question. Even though "pourrais-je" is grammatically correct, I haven't heard it used much in this context.
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