Does this sound natural?
“I’d like to come by at your store and talk to you about the work you should do with my suit on Friday.”

Question

bsloan7 · Accepted Answer

This is more natural:

I’d like to come by on Friday and talk about/discuss what I’d like done to my suit.

But if you want it to sound more polite, it would be better to add a question afterwards or just phrase it as a question from the beginning.

I’d like to come by on Friday and talk about/discuss what I’d like done to my suit. Does that work for you?/Are you available then?
or
Can I come by on Friday to discuss what I’d like done to my suit?

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn Yes, it’s a little less natural. It also makes the sentence a bit ambiguous because it could mean that you’re coming by on Friday or that you want the person to work on your suit on Friday.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn There isn’t a huge difference between 1 and 2. I think 2 just implies that you tried to start your car multiple times, but it wouldn’t turn on. 1 doesn’t have that same nuance.

The exact meaning of 4 can only be determined through context. If she did not say that, then you’re asking why your listener thinks she would say that in a hypothetical situation. If she did say that, then I think number 4 is usually meant to be rhetorical to emphasize your incredulity a bit more. With 3, you actually want to know the reason why she said what she did.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn I mean in 2 and 4, you’re not asking to be given a reason anyway. But yes, you can use 1 if you don’t actually want an explanation. Just be aware that the person you’re talking to might try to come up with a response regardless of that.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn Not really, but it might help if I knew the context you’re trying to use these in.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn Then I would say 2 in that situation personally.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn It’s not that it doesn’t work. It’s just extra. You don’t need it. But you can absolutely say sentence 1 if you want to.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn “Can” and “could” show ability, possibility, or that something is permitted. “Would” has many uses, but it’s often used when discussing hypothetical situations. And “will” is used for things that will happen in the future.

With all of that said, the word you should use depends on the context again.

Both “can” and “would” work for 1.

“Can”, “could”, “would”, and “will” all work for number 2.

“Would” and “could” are both good for number 4.

Only “will” sounds natural in number 5, but really you don’t need any word in the blank.

And sentence 3 is awkwardly phrased, so I wouldn’t use it at all. But I guess if I had to choose something to go in the blank, “can”, “could”, and “would” do work.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn If the thing you’re talking about already happened, then you shouldn’t use this sentence or these words at all.

If you’re trying to imply that you think someone lied about the situation, then you should say “I don’t believe that (actually) happened”.

If you think/know it did happen and are really shocked or surprised about it, then you should say “I can’t believe that (actually) happened”.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn I wouldn’t. It sounds like you truly don’t believe that the situation occurred. You think you’re being lied to.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn Yes, all of those are okay here.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn Yes, you should have used “don’t”.

bsloan7 · Answer

Actually now that I’m thinking more about it, I’m not sure that “wouldn’t” is incorrect here. I’ll see if I can find some information about it tomorrow 🤔

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn “Won’t” isn’t incorrect. Sorry, I should’ve said you can use that as well. But my instinct is to use “don’t”.

bsloan7 · Answer

@branduhn Yes, I think it’s correct here as well.

kungfumastershindo · Answer

I'd like to come by your store and talk to you about the work/things you should do with/on my suit on Friday. This is better. Is this store a tailor?

kungfumastershindo · Answer

@branduhn yes, "by" and "at" can't be combined.

kungfumastershindo · Answer

@branduhn yes, it works in a natural perspective

kungfumastershindo · Answer

@branduhn yes, they all work

Does this sound natural?“I’d like to come by at your store and talk to you about the work you should do with my suit on Friday.” See a translation

I'd like to come by your store and talk to you about the work/things you should do with/on my suit on Friday. This is better. Is this store a tailor?

@branduhn yes, "by" and "at" can't be combined.

@branduhn yes, it works in a natural perspective

@branduhn Yes, it’s a little less natural. It also makes the sentence a bit ambiguous because it could mean that you’re coming by on Friday or that you want the person to work on your suit on Friday.

@branduhn yes, they all work

@branduhn Yes, all of those are okay here.

@branduhn Yes, you should have used “don’t”.

Actually now that I’m thinking more about it, I’m not sure that “wouldn’t” is incorrect here. I’ll see if I can find some information about it tomorrow 🤔

@branduhn “Won’t” isn’t incorrect. Sorry, I should’ve said you can use that as well. But my instinct is to use “don’t”.

@branduhn Yes, I think it’s correct here as well.

Does this sound natural?
“I’d like to come by at your store and talk to you about the work you should do with my suit on Friday.”