can or may in a sentence

. : But, be that as it may, he was bugging her, and she told him to go shove it. And what may they be? MIGHT. In everyday modern usage, can and may both express permission, except with different levels of formality. Can the girls play hockey? Revenge: What’s the Difference? Examples: Can you see the woman standing over there? The entries for each of these include the complete definitions, as well as many example sentences, so I will discuss here only the aspects of each that I … 2. must 2.1. In the case of the trichorhinophalangeal syndrome, gene deletions can cause the disease, which may not be detected by analysis of the panel. How to use a word that (literally) drives some pe... Test your knowledge of the words of the year. Please give a simple illustration so that i can remember this for a long time? Stuart Cook - March 17, 2014, 8:36 am Reply. 1. This is a request for permission and not a statement of ability. This sentence is set in present perfect form and it means that since they left for their home a while ago they aren't here. These are the words like so, but, or, yet, and, for that we mentioned earlier. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Affirmative sentences with must. Can expresses strong possibility: I can travel in July because my exams will definitely be finished at the beginning of … A common privacy statement includes this sentence: “We may collect various types of information…when you visit any of our sites.” Let's see what this legal language really means. Can expresses ability while may expresses probability The subject of a sentence may be the noun of a sentence. And they may be people who have authority over your budget. Two complete sentences cannot be joined without proper punctuation. and verbs like understand, remember, etc:. Even if you rarely make the distinction between these words, it’s important to know the difference between may vs. can. - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary For example: The English words can and may are always confusing. G/O Media may get a commission. To say I may play basketball is a different statement than to say I can play basketball. Most of the time people use can for may and vice versa. But this is not usually what people mean when they say may you. The "can cause" sentences mentioned in the post seem to have a parallel entailment. You may be wondering whether a defendant who successfully challenges his sentence can end up with a longer or otherwise more onerous sentence. Delays may … We use might when we are not sure about something in the present or future: I might see you tomorrow. Ken may well be glad about the result of the test. Alex can write exciting articles. (Several examples are given for speech.) He's making a quiz, and checking it twice... Can and may can both be used to ask for permission, although "may" is considered more formal. "May you live in interesting times," expresses the wish that the person being addressed live in interesting times. 2) I will come if I may (if I am permitted to). Object found in Utah desert, recant Similar words: bay, day, gay, hay, man, many, my, pay. Does can have a special function that may cannot be used for? Today, I want to highlight the differences between can and may. Actually there is a great difference between the two words, namely, can and may. When these are not of concern, using can is fine. Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time. When each element separated by or is just one or two words, the reader will have little trouble mentally sorting things out with whichever style you choose.. That said, advocates of the Oxford comma do have a strong argument when it comes to the clarity. How to use can in a sentence. may (v): to be possible; to say something could happen; to give permission to. But, if the answer is no, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind. < previous. Beginning a sentence with one of these words simply helps to emphasise what you’re saying.I think you should take the red dress or the dress with flowers.I think you should take the red dress. Up until this point, we have focused on the person asking the question and not the person answering. Could in the present only expresses weak possibility. Conclusion: The uses of can which request permission are seldom found in edited prose. They might go to the beach this weekend. volume. Delays may be prevented by calling in every week or so. You can spend it with a free conscience. Can I go to the cinema? The expression may as well gives this sentence the meaning: There is no point in staying - I will go home. 2. For example: You can stroke the ponies but not goats. It's difficult to see may be in a sentence . (Here, "can" expresses permission. The clause following the verb has a question. When you wish to show courtesy, respect, and politeness, use may. Yes, can you believe the luck? May is used for permission in a polite or formal setting (May I leave the table, Grandma?). if you interest, Passive Voice with Modals, Definition and Examples Wish May you have a long … Wil is a writer, teacher, learning technologist and keen language learner. This particular meaning is no longer in current use, but we find a late representative of this use in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales from 1395: “We mowen nat...It ouertake, it slit awey so faste” (“We may not overtake it, it slid away so fast”). Ia. The words may and you can be used in a sentence. If the defendant claims that the sentence was illegal, the new sentence can, indeed, be more harsh – double jeopardy does not apply. Favorite Answer. ; The weather may / might be better tomorrow. Understanding the difference between can and may is important as can and may are two words in the English language that are often confused as one and the same as far as their connotations are concerned. The sentence must contain a subject and a verb, otherwise, it will be considered a sentence fragment, not a complete sentence. Anyway or Anyways: What’s the Difference? I may have done so again and again. Can sentence examples. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. or There is nothing better to do than to go home. ... Do not start a sentence with a conjunction. Even if you join such complete sentences with a comma, it would be considered a comma splice. Given that there was already some overlap between the two words, it’s not surprising that by the end of the 1800s, can also came to mean “to have permission.” (If there’s anything surprising in that, it’s perhaps that it took so long for can to copy that meaning of may’s.). "A political party can or may appoint the candidate for the next president, " he answered. The Child Pint Glasses Set . . Some people follow the rule that may can be considered a greater possibility than might. Biden projected 46th President. There's an element of assurance or guarantee. In this sentence may has the function of introducing the second clause beginning with but. Nonetheless, the “rule” lives on. Sales Coordination Marketing Communications People Skills Telephone Skills Customer Service. Consider the longer series of coordinating items in this sentence; within the series itself, there is a phrase with a necessary or. You probably remember being a young student and asking the question. 239. Do you agree or disagree? The answer is, of course, it depends. May is used to express possibility or ask permission. You may sit at the front of the class. Anonymous I would love to know what the grammar rule is here. 58. For example: “Many an engineer knows how to use this device’ In the above sentence, we had to substitute the article ‘a’ for ‘an’ because the noun coming after the construction began with a … My sister must wash the dishes. A reader asked for some guidance on using the modal verbs "may," "might," "can," "could," and "ought." If, however, you are surrounded by peers in an informal setting, there is nothing wrong with asking your friend, Can I have another hot dog? Home » Can vs. May: What’s the Difference? The article ‘a’ can change to ‘an’ The construction Many a, can also transform to Many an when a vowel comes after it. monolith The traditional rule, as you probably learned in grade school, states that can has to do with physical ability or the capacity to do something, not with permission. May I speak to Lussie, please? The answer depends on the nature of the original sentence. How to use may in a sentence. This makes it different from mainstream weak modals, where the sentence can be true even though the portion under the scope of the modal is not true in the actual world. can or may in a sentence And they were just hanging out like we were. → affirmative sentence. 1 decade ago. at a cookout. Set your young readers up for lifelong success, Study Up With Our Official SCRABBLE Dictionary, You Need a Hobby: 7 Words for Those Who Pursue Their Passions. If you are writing a highly formal letter where politeness and cordiality is a primary concern, you will definitely want to adhere to the traditional rule and use may to ask permission. Going back to our example from above, what your teacher wanted you to ask was the question. → question? Kennedy made the decision in May 1961. And now what may be your will? When do we use MAY and MIGHT in English? $10 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Nicky asked if she could come with them. Can you watch the house for me while I'm gone? can or may in a sentence. In reality, can likely has more use in the “permission” sense than is recorded, as it is more informal and so shows up in speech more frequently than may does. I may be at the time. This is because many of us are unaware of the correct usage of the two words and also unaware of … Justify your answer. May 7, 2019. A denial of permission is properly phrased formally by saying may not or with cannot or can’t. More about "May" The word "may" is an auxiliary verb used to denote permission. You may bring a partner to our event. but you may not . This, of course, was an instructional exercise on the part of the teacher, who was attempting to instill the difference between expressing one’s physical ability and a request for permission: the difference between may I vs. can I. Vaccine may lose its potency if it is not properly refrigerated. Can is used to express ability (e.g., I can speak Spanish) or permission in an informal setting (Can I play outside?). By this logic, the student should have said “May I go to the bathroom?” since their ability to use the facilities is likely not in question. Can your budgie talk? 3. 87. "Can" can also be used to express permission. A sense of humor may be part of a forgiving nature. According to the terms of the contract, your payment was due on May st. Despite the insistence by some, that CAN means only "to be able" and MAY means "to be permitted," both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission: Can (or May) I borrow your tape recorder? The sentence "How may I help you" should be changed to "How may I assist you" in the service industry. Permission How may I help you? Maybe or may be ? All four of these meanings were in use before 1000AD. Whistleblower changes tune, again, president-elect You may catch sight of our house from the train. That may be just the sign Verne McNatt is looking for. Both can and may are used to ask for permission. This notion contrasts with a curve, which is delimited by phonologic features such as pitch and loudness and markers such as pauses; and with a clause, which is a sequence of words that represents some process going on throughout time. . Check out words from the year you were born and more! Hi, Rachel. These two words cause a lot of confusion in English and leave writers—and speakers especially—unsure about which word to use and when. It's quite bright. Can is used to express ability and informally used to ask permission. Richard can play the trumpet. He can compose entire symphonies in his head. Some example sentences with May and Might are … I might watch another episode. Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the "possibility" sense. Can and could denote ability; may and might denote permission or sanction. But here is what may startle you. They may … It might rain this afternoon. can vs. may ; May and might are used as follows:. President John F . If formality and politeness are of utmost importance, you should use “may” to denote permission. instead of saying, Can I have some more water? . How did we end up in this situation? He’s taught English in classrooms and online for nearly 10 years, trained teachers in using classroom and web technology, and written e-learning materials for several major websites. "May" is the older word and has meanings that refer to the ability to do something, the possibility of something, as well as granting permission. There may be a storm tomorrow. ", or "May I..."to ask someone for permission. 2.2. Or are they completely interchangeable? How do I use CAN or MAY in a sentence? In general, this use of can belongs in speech, reported or fictional. And they were just hanging out like we were. ; We may / might go to the cinema tonight. 356. We find the rule spelled out clearly (complete with a fictional student-teacher exchange) in Charles Lurie’s 1926 How To Say It: Helpful Hints On English. 76 "You can ask Dorothy," said the little man, in an injured tone. → affirmative sentence. May definition is - —used to indicate possibility or probability —sometimes used interchangeably with can —sometimes used where might would be expected. Can she write with her left hand? May is a preferred in a formal style or when you want to be more polite. I may as well go home. → negative sentence. 573. Most people were told at some point in their lives that starting a sentence with a conjunction is ungrammatical. After reading this post, you shouldn’t ever again wonder which is correct or which is proper, may or can. Can vs May. 119. Or, the dress with flowers.Especially when writing fiction, the latter sentence structure is very commonly used as it makes the second option more dramatic. may example sentences. In your sentence, there isn't any certainty about whether the passport will be handy, though there are situations where it will be required (that you may not foresee) and others where it is merely convenient. They must make their beds. (Possibility), I may attend the festivities this weekend. I can handle it... now. For example: You can swim in this river. For example, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, the experts on its usage panel were more accepting of using “can” to mean “may” in a recent survey than they were in the past. Editor Emily Brewster responds:. can or mayの例文: 1. It is not the case. Can he play the trumpet? (Permission). You may catch sight of our house from the train. Yes, you 'can' go to the bathroom. A topic sentence can come as the final sentence of the paragraph, summing up all the details that went before. 3. I can do it. Learn a new word every day. Question added by Arif Khan Abdul Karim , Sales Associate , … 'Can' first overlapped with the definition of 'the ability to do something,' and later took the 'permission' definition as well. 'May' is the older word and has meanings that refer to the ability to do something, the possibility of something, as well as granting permission. 308. blahblah. ‘ May I come with you?’ Nicky asked. This is a good question. ; When she entered the kitchen, she could smell something burning. May is used to express possibility or ask permission. You may use can if you wish, and you can use may if it makes you feel better. Can expresses ability while may expresses probability The subject of a sentence may be the noun of a sentence. Odds are that that is correct, but, alas, it may not the case. May is also an auxiliary verb and is used to denote possibility or permission. Can is an auxiliary verb (sometimes called a helping verb or a modal verb) and is used to denote physical or mental ability. We can use may not to refuse permission or to say that someone does not have permission, but it is formal and emphatic: You may not borrow the car until you can be more careful with it! Studies show that about 7 percent of American adolescents may be addicted to gambling. May and might are used in negative sentences, ‘not’ is written separately from these two words, not combined. He may have been ; She might tell us what happened if we ask her. As with most writing and speaking, choosing whether to use can or may depends on your audience. Relevance. The “joke” here is based on the insistence that you should use may when asking for permission to do something, and can when speaking about ability. The police are certain to get him in the end wherever he may go. Use may in a sentence. ", "Could I...? May be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week. If someone asks you for permission, what is the proper way to respond? Can you start a sentence with or? But you can learn many things from books. can. This level of civic ignorance may be looked at two ways. But be that as it may, we'd no notion of bringing trouble like this down on your house. But either word is correct in the sentence, and there is no real difference in their meaning here. ; We were so near the sea that I could hear the seagulls. You can (or may) use it tomorrow.Sentences using CAN occur chiefly in spoken English. Glamor or Glamour – What’s the Difference? “They both indicate that something is possible, but something that may happen is more likely than something that might happen.” Quick and Dirty Tips I can take care of myself. > next. Example Sentences using MAY and MIGHT. There may be other reasons that we don’t know. May also developed a meaning referring to possibility, which we’re still familiar with today (“I may be able to have lunch with you this Thursday”), and the meaning that schoolteachers insist it has today–one that grants permission (“You may use the bathroom”). This cream may produce a stinging sensation. There is also one point that should not be confused, that ‘may be’ and ‘maybe’ should not be confused. → question? Let's write a sentence: They have left for home. Look at the difference between these two signs: Watch out! 2. instead of "Can I...?" Olivia can play the guitar. G/O Media may get a commission. - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary Answer Save. Wellbeing or Well-Being – Which is Correct? Depends on what, you ask? 560. Both may and might can be used in requests and in expressions of possibility for the present and future.. Might I ask you your name? He can write good stories. Your teacher would invariably correct you by saying. It derives from the Old English cunnan, which means, “to be able.”. He speaks four languages and … The deal may also represent a humbling experience for the government. While the former isn’t incorrect in all of its uses, it is incorrect for the intended meaning in this example. 1. can, may 2. can 3. may 4. may 5. can, can 6. may 7. can, can, can, may. Students may not wear jeans. There is no rule saying that may cannot be used in a plural sense. 2. It should also be noted that while you can use can instead of the word may to request permission, you cannot use may instead of the word can to express ability. Even if you rarely make the distinction between these words, it’s important to know the difference between may vs. can. Although we very often shorten cannot to can’t, the contraction mayn’t (may not) is rarely used nowadays. 2 Answers. Of course you can start a sentence with or. I have a question about when to use "Can I...? Can and may can both be used to ask for permission, although 'may' is considered more formal. I may have been nervous. So I would suggest "can not" be used in this context. Questions with can. : Anyway, be that as it may, I thought he was the most talented man on Earth. Lv 4. would work well only as a sarcastic or witty remark. It was a verb that originally meant “to know,” and then “to know how to do something,” and then “to have the ability to do something.” This last meaning, which showed up around 1300, was can’s first semantic overlap with may. This notion contrasts with a curve, which is delimited by phonologic features such as pitch and loudness and markers such as pauses; and with a clause, which is a sequence of words that represents some process going on throughout time. It looks nice, but it might be very expensive. But the reality of the situation is that both can and may have been used historically to refer to permission and continue to be used so today. We may start our trip in Italy to visit the Roman antiquities. 197. But, you should not use the contraction mayn’t. The word "may" connotes a possibility, and it's negation "may not" is in essence equivalent; selection between expressions may be preferred to better suit region, readers or to keep the running sentence in tone with the its idea. If the answer is yes, then no thought is given at all. Can they spell their names? ". " The old woman has been hospitalized with an acute case of pneumonia, and doctors fear she may not make it through the night. 208. It's difficult to see may in a sentence . ; Craig may / might know his results soon. May is the earlier verb, showing up in manuscripts from the 8th century. This means "it is possible, but not certain". Synonym: can. (Possibility), If you finish your chores, you may play outside. I may play basketball expresses the likelihood or your playing while I can play basketball expressed your ability to play. use "may" in a sentence You may as well ask your friend for advice. Long story short, no such rule exists or has ever existed, and telling an English learner (or a native speaker, for that matter) that they should never start a sentence with a conjunction is a mistake on the part of the teacher. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Hari Shankar, hi. You may as well ask your friend for advice. In negative sentence setup, it is written as ‘may not’ or ‘might not’. It didn’t take too long for teachers and grammarians of the day to proscribe that can should only be used of ability and may of permission. :-> English teachers and parents used to try very hard to get young people to use "may" when asking for permission. I do appreciate that this usage can differ slightly in the US, though. The use of can in a direct question to request permission is basically an oral use. May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. can vs. may May you isn't automatically incorrect. 1) I will come if I can (if I am able to). English Modal Verbs May, Example Sentences Possibility She may see him tomorrow before she leave. Can, could or may: typical errors. Can, could or may ? May versus might in a sentence? 'May' Is OK. Now, “may” does have its rare place. 149. Translated it means: Ok, I agree that he is very clever, but .. I may … For example, If I(a student) asked you (the teacher) to do something, should I use "Could I...?" Examples of what may in a sentence: 1. For example: I want to know what his name is.She wants to see where the puppies are.These are good examples of indirect questions. However, a lot of people believe that can in incorrect in this context. Wil. Can and could are also used to express the progressive (continuous) aspect of verbs of perception (see, hear, feel, taste, smell, etc.) A sentence is a set of words that in principle tells a complete thought (although it may make little sense taken in isolation out of context). So it would be better to say to the waiter at a fancy restaurant, “May I … 192. I think the example of the response you can . 1.3. We all know the joke (or, rather, “joke”): a student raises their hand and asks the teacher “Can I go to the bathroom?” and the teacher responds, “I don’t know—can you?”. Most people are unaware of this contraction to being with, but for those writers/speakers who are, it’s best to avoid it. If I have to keep the vocabulary form the original sentence, how about, "Depending on the software installed, your service proider or country, some of the descriptions in this guide may not match your phone exactly." → negative sentence. Many writers struggle with knowing whether a sentence can be started with the word or. If your patient has a ventricular tachycardia then defibrillation may not work. What is the Difference Between Can and May? I will outline the traditional rule regarding can vs. may, provide you with example sentences for each, and offer some advice going forward in your writing. But be that as it may, they ought to be thankful they can hold those positions into the new year. We’re planning a trip to Europe next summer. We see or hear may, not can, in official announcements, and on signs: Hotel guests may use the gym from 6 a.m. May vs. can = formal vs. informal. - English Grammar Today – une référence pour l'utilisation et la grammaire de l'anglais écrit et parlé – Cambridge Dictionary As with most writing and speaking, you need to know your audience and understand what is best for the situation at hand. "can not" is an imperative command that must be followed. Can and may belong to a category of verbs variously referred to as auxiliary, helping, modal, and defective.They are linguistic fossils, deriving from Old English conjugations that have dwindled through time to only one or two forms.

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