what is difference between" would you ? "and "will you?"

[me_shankara]

Hi!
I got a doubt on "would you" and "will you?"
Requests can be expressed by using “Will you? “ and ” would you?”
Examples:
1)will you post this letter?
2)would you post this letter?
My doubts:
1)In my book The difference between the above two sentences explained like below.
“Would you?”is less authoritative so more polite than “will you? “
Can you explain the word “less authoritative “with some other sentences?
2)What is time difference between “will you?” And” would you” in above two sentences?

 

[probus]

There is no time difference between the two expressions. I agree with your book: "will you" is slightly more in the nature of a command, and "would you" of a request. But this difference is small and subtle, and the actual value of the expression depends on the social relationship between the speaker and the addressee.

For example, if I say to my wife "Will you post this letter?" I am asking her, because I have no right to order her. But if I happen to have a servant and say the same thing to him, it is much more in the nature of a command.

 

[HanibalII]

There is no time difference between the two expressions. I agree with your book: "will you" is slightly more in the nature of a command, and "would you" of a request. But this difference is small and subtle

I don't think the difference is small. It's a bit like the difference between 'can' and 'could'.

 

[probus]

Hello Hanniballl: I must have been editing my original reply at the same time you were composing your reply.

 

[5jj]

I don't think the difference is small. It's a bit like the difference between 'can' and 'could'.

Which can also be quite small.

 

[emsr2d2]

When I was a child, I had some infuriating conversations with my grandfather, who was a stickler on these kinds of things. Imagine that my grandfather and I are both in the back of my mum's car and it's a hot day.

Me: Can you open the window?
Grandfather: I can. I have a hand and there is a winder to open the window. (Does not open window.)
Me: OK, could you open the window?
Grandfather: I could, if you asked me properly. (Does not open window.)
Me: Would you open the window?
Grandfather: Oh, you are SO close! (Puts his hand on the window winder.)
Me: Would you open the window please?
Grandfather: Of course. You only have to ask! (Opens the window.)

 

[HanibalII]

When I was a child, I had some infuriating conversations with my grandfather, who was a stickler on these kinds of things. Imagine that my grandfather and I are both in the back of my mum's car and it's a hot day.

Me: Can you open the window?
Grandfather: I can. I have a hand and there is a winder to open the window. (Does not open window.)
Me: OK, could you open the window?
Grandfather: I could, if you asked me properly. (Does not open window.)
Me: Would you open the window?
Grandfather: Oh, you are SO close! (Puts his hand on the window winder.)
Me: Would you open the window please?
Grandfather: Of course. You only have to ask! (Opens the window.)

Yep. haha

I'd also accept 'could' as well though.

 

[5jj]

Grandfather: Of course. You only have to ask! (Opens the window.)

Didn't he say, "You have only to ask"? ;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

Didn't he say, "You have only to ask"? ;-)

He probably did actually! My memory of conversations from 40 years ago isn't perfect.