Could you tell our listeners...

Frank C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

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!

Asked 1 year ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

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 J.C1 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

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!

Sign in to submit your answer

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
Thinking...