Catherine
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!
Apr 27, 2013 1:37 AM
Answers · 5
All the comments are right
April 27, 2013
Thank you so much! I get it now.
April 27, 2013
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?".
April 27, 2013
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 :)
April 27, 2013
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
April 27, 2013
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