Mini‑quiz: peticiones corteses en el trabajo (B1)

Using the conditional form ("¿podrías…?") softens the request. The imperative ("mándame/entrégame") sounds like an order, especially in a work‑chat context, so it’s less polite. Remember: in standard usage the imperative is mainly for orders and instructions, not for delicate requests.

"Me gustaría + infinitivo" expresses a suggestion or wish in a soft, neutral way; it sounds like “I would like to propose…”. The other options either impose the decision or use the imperative form.

"¿Sería posible…?" is an impersonal structure in the conditional: it sounds neutral and polite and works well in professional emails and chats. "¿Puedes…?" sounds more direct.

In formal address you use "usted" → "Le". The construction "¿(Le/Te) importaría…?" uses the verb "importar" following the same pattern as "gustar" (the idea is “Would it be a problem for you…?” / “Would you mind…?”). Compare with an example with importar: "¿Te importa si fumo?" from the explanation about verbs like gustar.

Options 1–2 are both polite, but "querría" sounds slightly more formal and restrained than "me gustaría". Options 3–4 are too blunt — they sound like a decision that has already been made, not like a request.

"¿Habría manera de…?" is an impersonal and very soft way to make a request. "Habría" is the conditional of "haber" (stem "habr-", see the list of irregular stems). The other options sound too sharp or demanding.

Time softeners like "cuando tengas un momento" plus the conditional make the request very gentle. The other options convey urgency or pressure.

"¿Podrías…?" plus a concrete detail ("15 minutos hoy") clearly sounds like a request, not an order. The other options sound directive (imperative / imposing a meeting). Remember: the imperative is the form for giving orders.