Puis-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite en attendant ?

Jenk O.B2Kwiziq community member

Puis-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite en attendant ?

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.

This question relates to:French writing exercise "Complaining about a hotel room"

Freeform Writing Exercise C1

Asked 3 years ago

Like0Answer2

CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

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 ...

Like03 years ago

Chris W.C1 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.

Like13 years ago

Jenk O. asked:

Puis-je vous offrir une boisson chaude gratuite en attendant ?

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.

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