Question 1

Why does the sentence use gdybym obniżył instead of attaching the -m ending directly to the verb?

Accepted Answer

In Polish, personal endings like -m (for "I") often detach from the verb and stick to conjunctions like gdyby (if) or żeby (so that). When the ending moves to the conjunction, the verb itself is left in its 3rd-person past tense form. This is why we say gdybym obniżył instead of "gdyby obniżyłem".

Question 2

Can we tell the genders of the speakers in this conversation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is a man talking to another man. We know this because both verbs use masculine forms: obniżył (for "I lowered") and zgodziłbyś (for "you would agree"). If a woman were speaking to another woman, the sentence would be: Gdybym obniżyła ceny, zgodziłabyś się?

Question 3

In the second part of the sentence, the ending is attached to the verb (zgodziłbyś). Why didn't it move like in the first part?

Accepted Answer

Personal endings usually stay attached to the verb unless there is a "magnet" word like gdyby or żeby to pull them away. Since the second clause doesn't start with one of those conjunctions, the conditional particle -by- and the "you" ending -ś simply attach directly to the verb zgodził.

Question 4

Is it okay for się to be at the very end of the sentence here?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While Polish generally prefers to avoid putting się at the absolute end of a sentence if there are other words available, there are simply no other words in this short second clause. In a two-word phrase like zgodziłbyś się, it naturally falls at the end.

Gdybym obniżył ceny, zgodziłbyś się?

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