Comments on: Can vs. May http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/ The #1 Grammar & Punctuation Resource on the Internet! Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:50:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-3773 Jane Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:12:39 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-3773 The word "may" is used for permission and "can" is used for ability. Therefore, "How may I direct your call," would be correct. The word “may” is used for permission and “can” is used for ability. Therefore, “How may I direct your call,” would be correct.

]]> By: Ann http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-3693 Ann Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:36:52 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-3693 Is it correct to answer a phone call with "How can I direct your call?" Or, is the only proper way "How may I direct your call?" Is it correct to answer a phone call with “How can I direct your call?” Or, is the only proper way “How may I direct your call?”

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-3341 Jane Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:58:04 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-3341 Thanks for the compliment. You bring up a good point about "can" being used in place of "may" in informal writing. English is a living language; therefore, rules become outdated and vocabulary changes constantly. Thanks for writing. Thanks for the compliment. You bring up a good point about “can” being used in place of “may” in informal writing. English is a living language; therefore, rules become outdated and vocabulary changes constantly. Thanks for writing.

]]> By: Aoutt http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-3281 Aoutt Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:57:48 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-3281 Lol. Wow! I've always wondered about this; I've recently started to use "may" a lot more (at the appropriate time of course). But, "can" seems, to me, to be more used informally used to mean can/may and "may" used formally to mean can/may. But that's just me. It doesn't help though that other people still use "can" anyway to mean can/may. Whenever my baby sister gets the chance to come around to my house, I insist on her using "May I?" whenever she wants something, hehe. Good AND correct expression seems to be a priceless skill that many still need to acquire. Good job Jane :) Lol.

Wow! I’ve always wondered about this; I’ve recently started to use “may” a lot more (at the appropriate time of course). But, “can” seems, to me, to be more used informally used to mean can/may and “may” used formally to mean can/may. But that’s just me.

It doesn’t help though that other people still use “can” anyway to mean can/may.

Whenever my baby sister gets the chance to come around to my house, I insist on her using “May I?” whenever she wants something, hehe.

Good AND correct expression seems to be a priceless skill that many still need to acquire.

Good job Jane :)

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-740 Jane Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:55:16 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-740 "Can you" would be correct because these questions imply the ability to fulfill the request, not permission to do so. Example: You can eat cake. (You have the ability to eat cake.) You may eat cake. (You have permission to eat cake.) “Can you” would be correct because these questions imply the ability to fulfill the request, not permission to do so. Example: You can eat cake. (You have the ability to eat cake.) You may eat cake. (You have permission to eat cake.)

]]> By: vickie http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-739 vickie Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:58:46 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-739 i have a colleague who, in emails, types, "may you (call this person, meet me at 3pm, etc.)" instead of, "can you". it drives me crazy, because i know it's not correct, but i don't know how to tell her. could you give me the rule? thanks! i have a colleague who, in emails, types, “may you (call this person, meet me at 3pm, etc.)” instead of, “can you”. it drives me crazy, because i know it’s not correct, but i don’t know how to tell her. could you give me the rule?
thanks!

]]> By: H-man http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-223 H-man Wed, 07 May 2008 18:26:53 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-223 Grammar lovers tend to love rules. Alas, grammar is often not nearly as cut-and-dried as these folks would like. Merriam addresses far more than the stark permission / ability dichotomy. In many contexts "can" and "may" are interchangable. "May" certainly may (sic) be used to denote possibility. Hence, the procedure "You may click the third link to open the PDF" is fine, despite all those that scream can! can! until the woman with the ruffled dress starts dancing with a high kick. Grammar lovers tend to love rules. Alas, grammar is often not nearly as cut-and-dried as these folks would like. Merriam addresses far more than the stark permission / ability dichotomy. In many contexts “can” and “may” are interchangable. “May” certainly may (sic) be used to denote possibility. Hence, the procedure “You may click the third link to open the PDF” is fine, despite all those that scream can! can! until the woman with the ruffled dress starts dancing with a high kick.

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-224 Jane Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:53:50 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-224 I'm sure that a simple "yes" is enough for them to go running out the door. However, I won't sidestep your question. To help them understand the distinction between "can" and "may," you may wish to say, "Yes, you may." I’m sure that a simple “yes” is enough for them to go running out the door. However, I won’t sidestep your question. To help them understand the distinction between “can” and “may,” you may wish to say, “Yes, you may.”

]]> By: Michelle Dermanelian http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-225 Michelle Dermanelian Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:26:08 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-225 When my children ask, "May I go outside?" Do I response "Yes, you can."? When my children ask, “May I go outside?” Do I response “Yes, you can.”?

]]> By: Jane http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/can-v-may/comment-page-1/#comment-222 Jane Fri, 30 Mar 2007 21:15:11 +0000 http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=29#comment-222 It's true that spoken language is often different from written language. Your examples with "can" and "may" are good ones. It’s true that spoken language is often different from written language. Your examples with “can” and “may” are good ones.

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