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appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could'



 
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ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
I beg your pardon vs. Excuse me | usage of "over again"
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appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could' #1 (permalink) Mon May 05, 2008 6:53 am   appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could'		  
Hi

I want to know what the most appropriate way of asking between ‘can‘ and ‘could’

Is it Can I speak to Mr … ?

Or Could I speak to Mr ….?
Tr
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Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 1
appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could' #2 (permalink) Mon May 05, 2008 8:18 am   appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could'		  
Hi,

In that context 'could' is a little more formal/polite.

Alan
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appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could' #3 (permalink) Mon May 05, 2008 9:15 am   appropriate way of asking between 'can' and 'could'		  
TR wrote:
Hi

I want to know what the most appropriate way of asking between ‘can‘ and ‘could’

Is it Can I speak to Mr … ?

Or Could I speak to Mr ….?


I think it often depends on the social relationship between you and the listener. If it is fairly familiar, you can use "can".
Molly
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Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017
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I beg your pardon vs. Excuse me | usage of "over again"
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