What is not consistent?
The question asks "Can you…?"
This is actually a yes or no question. Yes I can, or no I can't.
The fact that we also use "can you tell me…" to mean something like "please describe…" doesn't change that.
The question asks "Can you…?"
This is actually a yes or no question. Yes I can, or no I can't.
The fact that we also use "can you tell me…" to mean something like "please describe…" doesn't change that.
This stuff comes up a lot, to be fair.
e.g. have you ever noticed how people have come to assume that "X co-operated with Y" only means "X did what Y asked without complaint"?
I pointed this out to someone recently who had assumed that someone else's use of the word "co-operate" was implicitly threatening. If you watch too much US police procedural drama or true crime TV, it is…
(Also, sorry for my slightly spiky tone in that reply!)