Question 1

Why use the imperfect voulais if the speaker wants the favor right now?

Accepted Answer

This is the imparfait d'atténuation (imperfect of politeness). Using the present tense (Je veux) can sound abrupt or demanding. Shifting the request into the past tense softens it, similar to saying "I wanted to ask..." or "I was hoping for..." in English.

Question 2

Could I use the conditional Je voudrais instead of Je voulais here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, je voudrais (I would like) is the classic way to make a polite request. Using the imperfect (je voulais) is an alternative that is very common in conversational French. It frames the request as a preexisting thought rather than a direct demand, making it sound more approachable.

Question 3

Why does the sentence switch to the passé composé (je n'ai pas reçu) in the second half?

Accepted Answer

The two verbs are doing completely different jobs. Je voulais is being used pragmatically to soften a present desire. In contrast, je n'ai pas reçu reports a strictly factual, completed event in the past (the confirmation didn't arrive). Because it describes a completed past action, it requires the passé composé.

Question 4

Is une faveur the most common way to ask for a favor in everyday French?

Accepted Answer

While une faveur is correct and understood, French speakers often prefer the word un service for everyday help. For example, if you want to say "Can you do me a favor?", the most natural everyday phrasing is Tu peux me rendre un service ? (Note that French uses the verb rendre, not faire, for this expression).

Je voulais une faveur ; je n'ai pas reçu la confirmation.

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