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Jamiec Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
By no means
I want to say " you cannot hit her under any circumstances ". What is the correct way of saying this using "by no means"
(1) You cannot hit her by no means
(2) By no means you can hit her
(3) Or please correct my english and show me the right way of usig "by no means"
Thanks
(1) You cannot hit her by no means
(2) By no means you can hit her
(3) Or please correct my english and show me the right way of usig "by no means"
Thanks
Top answer
' Probably, since 'can' really suggests 'ability' more than 'permission', you should more properly say: 'By no means may you hit her' , or, 'You may , by no means, hit her' . '
- ' Probably, since 'can' really suggests 'ability' more than 'permission', you should more properly say: 'By no means may you hit her' , or, 'You may , by no means, hit her' .
- '
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6 Answers
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'By no means can you hit her.'
'You can, by no means, hit her.'
Probably, since 'can' really suggests 'ability' more than 'permission', you should more properly say: 'By no means may you hit her', or, 'You may, by no means, hit her'.
The other
'You can, by no means, hit her.'
Probably, since 'can' really suggests 'ability' more than 'permission', you should more properly say: 'By no means may you hit her', or, 'You may, by no means, hit her'.
The other
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"By no means" already contains the negation (no = not any). Hence you can't use the verb in the negative form, since - + - > +
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Many thanks. You just brought me another questions I have already in my mind. What is the subtle difference among can, could, may and might.
1. Can you pass me the plate?
2. Could you pass me the plate?
3. May I know your name?
4. Can I know your name?
5. I may come by around 5 PM.
6. I might come by around 5 PM.
7. Well, I could come by around 5 PM.
1. Can you pass me the plate?
2. Could you pass me the plate?
3. May I know your name?
4. Can I know your name?
5. I may come by around 5 PM.
6. I might come by around 5 PM.
7. Well, I could come by around 5 PM.
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A teacher taught us recently that some of these forms you mentioned are used often when you want to address someone in a polite way. May, and could are polite forms used often in formal letters. "Can" is more informal, used in everydays speaking; with friends or people you know from work or something like that. Might is used in both ways, I've seen it. so. I hope I helped in something.
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As I wrote above, can implies 'ability', and may, 'permission'. But common usage makes no such clearcut distinctions. In many cicumstances, such as the ones you listed, these are interchangeable words..
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