Let me ask you something./Can I ask you something?
I always hear these two sentences be said by someone when he/she wants to know or make sure of sth. I've got this feeling that there's a slight difference between them, but I can't tell. Could you help me? Thank you!

Question

Answer

All the comments are right

Answer

Thank you so much!  I get it now.

Answer

I agree with both comments above. I just wanted to add that to be even more formal and polite, you can say "May I ask you something?".

Answer

hi catherine! Both of them are commonly used but the first one is more informal and could be used with friends for example, the second one is more formal but is rough as well, if you do not want to be rude I recommend you to use "could I ask you something" it is more polite :)

Answer

Very perceptive. I would say that generally "Let me ask you something" is usually said in an aggessive manner. In many cases the person knows the answer or is confronting you. For example -- Let me ask you something - What do you think you are doing sitting on my car. or Let me ask you something - do you take me for some kind of idiot.  It isn't usually a sincere request for information whereas "Can I ask you something?" is a sincere request and is more polite.

Hope that helps

Non perdere l'opportunità di imparare una lingua comodamente da casa tua. Esplora la nostra selezione di insegnanti di lingue esperti e iscriviti subito alla tua prima lezione!