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This phrasal verb means to persuade someone when we try offering something.

Examples :

  1. Can I interest you in coffee?
  2. Can I interest you in having a special relationship between us?

Do native speakers use this term when persuading people?
Can I also use the term as in question #2?

Kris
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Iwan
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    According to the ODO, yes. "interest VERB 1.1 (interest someone in) Persuade someone to undertake or acquire (something): efforts were made to interest her in a purchase." http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/interest Also, "induce to participate". See also, Cambridge Dict Online, "(with in) to persuade to do, buy etc ... Can I interest you in (buying) this dictionary?" http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-french/interest_2 – Kris Mar 02 '15 at 05:20
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    Harrap's essential English Dictionary, 1996, p.501:
    2 (formal) When you ask someone if you can interest them in something, you are trying to persuade them to have it, or buy it: Could I interest you in a glass of wine? | Perhaps we can interest you in one of our cut-price holidays?     – Kris Mar 02 '15 at 05:31
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    "Could I interest you in a pair of crampons?" (The Guardian, Feb. 04); "In the meantime, might I interest you in some lovely deductions?" (NYT, Feb. 14). – Kris Mar 02 '15 at 05:32
  • You can, but you may not, interest me. – Blessed Geek Mar 02 '15 at 06:11
  • I'd freak out if somebody used example (2) with me, it sounds very pushy, inappropriate (are we already dating?) and dangerously close to being creepy. Short story: Nobody uses that line for asking a woman out. The phrase "Could I interest you in...?" is often used (not always) with customers/potential buyers. – Mari-Lou A Mar 02 '15 at 08:20

2 Answers2

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Well according to Cambridge Dictionaries Online AmEn speakers use this term;

Can I interest you in something

› Would you like to buy or take something:
Can I interest you in a cup of coffee?

As of question # 2 I believe we do not buy or take special relationships.If you are addressing a lady I will suggest saying something like " would you allow me to persuade you to have a special relationship with me" but then native AmEn speakers know better.

Anyway, with a lady or a guy I prefer " may I" to " can I". Probably it's OK to say " may I interest you in having a special relationship with me", only our native AmEn fellow members can tell both of us.

Community
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sojourner
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Yes people do use this phrase but it is somewhat associated with old fashioned style - especially with regard to face to face selling.

Indeed you're likely to find parodies of old style shop interactions 'Could I interest Sir in one of our fine silk ties...?" If you search Youtube.

I'm pretty sure Monty Python did several.

I would not be surprised if an older person (60 plus) used this phrase with me but someone younger would only use it in jest or parody I think.

The more common use of the verb is in the other format which you correctly distinguish from this ' I am interested in ...'

Judy D
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