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Grammatically, these are identical however, you SAY them differently. I would probably say "Excuse me, I'm sorry to ask, but could you please pass me that paper?"Įxplain the difference in meaning between the pair of sentences. You have no interaction with the person before or after the request.
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Use the last one if you are sitting in a public library, and you are asking a complete stranger to pass you something. I might also say "Excuse me, could you pass me that paper, please?" Use the second one if you are sitting in a meeting with some people that are not your friends, but you will spend a few hours with and might never see again. Use the first one if you are sitting at a table with your friends or acquaintances. You would use that in a situation where you absolutely do not know the person that you are talking to. It sounds as if you are apologizing for actually have to ask the question and bother the person. This one is similar to the previous one, but even more apologetic. You couldn't pass me that paper, could you? "Pass me that paper please?" is more demanding in tone.adding the "Could you possibly" to the front of it is apologetic in nature. *"possibly", not "possible." This could be used in a more formal situation. Could you possible* pass me that paper? You don't use sarcasm with unknown people unless you intend to offend. As such, it is sarcastic about the favor. Passing paper is not an action that requires a favor as it is a simple task. I would say this in an informal situation. Do me a favor and pass that paper, will you? "Could you please pass me that paper?" would be the most effective.Ģ) What factors are relevant in deciding which of there forms to in a given situation? If you could, can you pass me that paper? Would it be possible to pass me that paper? 1) Examples of 3 further forms that might be used to make similar requests.