Did you need anything? VS Do you need anything?

[choco_chip]

Hi there, it's my first time posting on the site and I have a question for you guys..

What's the difference between these 2 sentences?

1. Did you need/want anything? VS 2.Do you need/want anything?

Because I often use the first sentence without actually thinking about it.
And I'm sure they're both correct..

Here's an example of when I would use these sentences..
I'll be on the phone telling my friend that I'm going to Safeway,
or telling my co-worker in person that I'm going to the Starbucks downstairs.

1. I'm going to Safeway (right now). Did you need/want anything?
2. I'm going to Safeway (right now). Do you need/want anything?

I usually say the first sentence, and I don't actually say 'right now,' and I use it when I'm just heading out somewhere.
I always thought that using the past tense (did), made it a little more polite. But when a friend who's an ESL student asked me, I started to question myself.

I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks for reading this!

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forum, choco-chip.

As a native English speaker, you know they are indeed both correct.

'Do you want/need anything?' is the more logical question, but nobody said English is/was logical.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Right. Both are good conversational English. Neither is more polite than the other.

Welcome!

 

[choco_chip]

I'm glad to hear this!
Thanks for the explanations!

 

[emsr2d2]

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