What's the difference among ~てください, くださいますか, and くださいませんか?


I think all three expressions are used to show my requests to someone who are
superior than me. However I am wondering if there are any nuance differences
in these expressions. For example:

> (1) もっとはっきり書いてください。
>
> (2) もっとはっきり書いてくださいますか。
>
> (3) もっとはっきり書いてくださいませんか。

I can feel that it is more polite to say (3) or (2) than (1). But am I
correct?




The nuances of these requests are not far from their English counterparts,
actually.

> もっとはっきり書いてください。
>
> Please write more clearly.

This is a direct request, but isn't rude by any means.

> もっとはっきり書いてくださいますか。
>
> Would you write more clearly (for me)?

This, just like in English, is less direct and therefore showing a bit more
respect to the listener.

> もっとはっきり書いてくださいませんか。
>
> Wouldn't you write more clearly (for me)?

In this form it feels more like an invitation than a question but is very
similar to the previous.

In most cases I would use the first. It has a pretty broad usage. If I were
feeling the need to be more polite (maybe I'm speaking to a teacher I don't
know well) then I would use the second. If I were inviting a superior to do
something for me or come somewhere I would use the third. Knowing which one to
use often comes down to having lots of practice with social situations and a
good grasp on context.




The nuances of these requests are not far from their English counterparts,
actually.

> もっとはっきり書いてください。
>
> Please write more clearly.

This is a direct request, but isn't rude by any means.

> もっとはっきり書いてくださいますか。
>
> Would you write more clearly (for me)?

This, just like in English, is less direct and therefore showing a bit more
respect to the listener.

> もっとはっきり書いてくださいませんか。
>
> Wouldn't you write more clearly (for me)?

In this form it feels more like an invitation than a question but is very
similar to the previous.

In most cases I would use the first. It has a pretty broad usage. If I were
feeling the need to be more polite (maybe I'm speaking to a teacher I don't
know well) then I would use the second. If I were inviting a superior to do
something for me or come somewhere I would use the third. Knowing which one to
use often comes down to having lots of practice with social situations and a
good grasp on context.

