French Phrase
Demande une décision rapide si tu peux.
Meaning
Literally, “Ask for a quick decision if you can.” It is a polite yet urgent request, implying that the speaker would like the listener to obtain a decision as soon as possible, but only if it is feasible.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need a fast answer in a work email, a meeting, or a casual conversation with a colleague or friend, and you want to acknowledge that the listener might not be able to act immediately.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Demandeunedécisionrapidesitupeux
Impératif (Demande)
The verb "demander" in the second‑person singular imperative drops the final -s, giving "Demande".
Article & Gender Agreement
"Décision" is feminine, so it takes the indefinite article "une" and the adjective "rapide" agrees in gender and number.
Adjective Position
Most adjectives, including "rapide", follow the noun they modify.
Conditional Clause (si tu peux)
"Si" + present tense expresses a condition that is possible; here it softens the request.
Pronoun "tu" vs "vous"
Use "tu" for informal or familiar contexts; switch to "vous" for formal or professional settings.
🗨In Conversation
Demande une décision rapide si tu peux.
Ask for a quick decision if you can.
Je vais voir ce que je peux faire et je te tiens au courant dès que possible.
I’ll see what I can do and let you know as soon as possible.
✕Common Mistakes
Demande un décision rapide si tu peux.
"Décision" is feminine; the correct article is "une".
Demande une décision rapide si vous peux.
When using "vous", the verb must agree: "si vous pouvez".
Demande une décision rapide si tu peut.
The verb "pouvoir" in the second‑person singular present is "peux".
↔Alternatives
Peux‑tu demander une décision rapide ?
Can you ask for a quick decision?
Obtiens une décision rapide, si possible.
Obtain a quick decision, if possible.
Fais en sorte d’avoir une décision rapide, si tu le peux.
Make sure to get a quick decision, if you can.
Cultural Tip
In French, adding "si tu peux" (or "si vous pouvez" in formal contexts) softens a request and shows respect for the other person’s time. Even in urgent situations, French speakers prefer to cushion commands with a conditional clause rather than sounding too demanding.