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Is there any difference between these two sentences ? (1) Can I ask you to ...[do something]? (2) Can you ... [do something]?
Eg., if my boss were to say to me "Can I ask you to pick up the client?". Would that mean the same thing as "Can you pick up the client?"
Thanks
Practically the two forms are the same. Technically, however, the questions are different. When you boss asks you "Can I ask you to ...", he is technically asking if he can make the request, not making the request.
[Note: I would not advise an employee to make an issue of the difference between "Can I ask you..." and "Can you...". If the boss asks you if you can do something, I'd personally be likely to ignore the "... I ask ..." bit.
The effect of the two requests is more or less the same, but I would sense a slight difference in emphasis.
(2) is a straightforward request, slightly more polite than a direct order, to do something that would probably be considered quite normal within the terms of the job.
(1) is more tentative - it might be used when taking the request slightly outside the normal duties for the job, as a special favour, without sounding over-demanding.
