Direct and less direct

[Kontol]

I'm confused with my English grammar book which says like this:

Will it be all right if I bring a friend? (Direct)
Would it be all right if I brought a friend? (Less direct)
If you move your chair a bit, we can all sit down.
If you were to move your chair a bit, we could all sit down.

Could you explain what's a direct or less direct language? I always think the word direct is rude or impolite and the word less direct is polite. Is my understanding right?

 

[Tarheel]

Certainly, direct language can be less polite than indirect language. It depends.

 

[Kontol]

It means these sentence sound less polite, doesn't it?

Will it be all right if I bring a friend?
If you move your chair a bit, we can all sit down.

What do you think?

 

[SoothingDave]

There is a layer of distancing with the "would" construction, but your "will" sentences do not come across as impolite.

 

[Kontol]

There is a layer of distancing with the "would" construction,

Do you mean there is an implied condition in the sentences?

 

[Piscean]

Will it be all right if I bring a friend?
If you move your chair a bit, we can all sit down.

The condition is not implied; it's explicitly stated.

 

[Kontol]

Then which should I say when I'm making a request? For me, both are the same, that is used to make a request.

Will it be all right if I bring a friend?
Would it be all right if I brought a friend?

 

[Piscean]

Will it be all right if I bring a friend?
Would it be all right if I brought a friend?

The first is more direct, as you have been told.

 

[Tarheel]

Both are possible, I guess. Also: "Would it be all right if I bring a friend?"

 

[Kontol]

My confusion is that I think both sentences make a request. Is the first conditional used for a usual request whereas the second conditional for a more polite request?

 

[tedmc]

They are not conditionals but different ways to ask a question, the second version being more polite.
It's like asking:
Do you want a cup of coffee?
Would you like a cup of coffee?

 

[jutfrank]

I always think the word direct is rude or impolite and the word less direct is polite. Is my understanding right?

Direct language isn't necessarily rude but it can be. Indirect language is more polite.

 

[Piscean]

They are not conditionals

They are conditionals in form, but requests in function.
.

 

[Kontol]

Direct language isn't necessarily rude but it can be. Indirect language is more polite.

About the difference, might the Will it be OK if I bring a friend? version be used with a close friend?
Might the Would it be OK if I brought a friend? version be used with someone that you are friendly with, but don’t regard as a close friend or colleague?

What do you think?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd probably use "Can I bring a friend/mate?" with a close friend and maybe "Is it OK if I bring a friend?" with someone I know less well. To be honest, if I was invited to something by someone who I didn't consider a friend or a colleague, I wouldn't ask to bring someone else along at all. If the invitation was clearly just for me, I'd go alone.

 

[Kontol]

I'd probably use "Can I bring a friend/mate?" with a close friend and maybe "Is it OK if I bring a friend?" with someone I know less well. To be honest, if I was invited to something by someone who I didn't consider a friend or a colleague, I wouldn't ask to bring someone else along at all. If the invitation was clearly just for me, I'd go alone.

I'm sure the difference between "Will it be OK if I ...?" and "Would it be OK if I ...?" doesn't matter the closeness of the person or depends on the relationship. Either can be used with a close friend, colleague or even with someone we know less well. It's confusing.

Could you explain what the exact difference is?

 

[Tarheel]

Liz: Do you want to go to IHOP tomorrow?
Ron: I sure do! Would it be okay if I bring a friend with me?
Liz: Of course! Who do you have in mind?
Ron: Nobody. I just wanted to see what you'd say.
Liz: Ron!
Ron:

 

[SoothingDave]

You can use either form with any person. It's not really that big of a difference. One is slightly more polite. Neither is impolite.