Which of the following is more appropriate?
Can you go?
Could you go?
Is there anything wrong in asking like this "Could you go?"
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Strictly speaking, "Can you go?" means "Is it possible for you to go?", while "Could you go?" means "I'm asking you to go." Often they are used interchangeably, however. Can you add some context to your question?– Max WilliamsCommented May 17, 2016 at 12:17
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Related: 1. How do I choose between “can” and “could”? 2. What is the difference between 'can', 'could', 'may' and 'might'? 3. “Can/may/will you help me with this?”– Mari-Lou ACommented May 17, 2016 at 12:49
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4. Can a hypothetical “could” main clause stand on its own without an expressed conditional? 5. “It could/might/may be funny” — what is the correct usage?– Mari-Lou ACommented May 17, 2016 at 12:52
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@marilou, Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation– JoannCommented May 17, 2016 at 12:58
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From the accepted answer in the older question: 1. We could go (if we like / but we won't / etc.) 2. We can go (= We are capable of going / It is possible for us to go)– Mari-Lou ACommented May 17, 2016 at 13:00
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1 Answer
They are very similar, and both are correct.
'Can' is used more often if the person has more authority, and 'could' if the person has less authority or is trying not to be too difficult.
E.g., I would expect a IT manager to ask
Can you reboot the server now?
and a timid neighbour to ask
Could you keep the noise down, please?
