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Viceidol Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Can I use "may" in this sentence?

1b00You01font00 might02font00 post these letters for me.02b02br
02br
00May I ask if it's suitable to replace the01b00 02b00"might" with "may" ? Will the meaning changed?02br
02br
00Thank you very much for your help!!0-
  

Top answer

02br 02br 00Your replacement would be suitable. "02br 02br 00Edit. 02i 0-

— Avangi

  • 02br 02br 00Your replacement would be suitable.
  • "02br 02br 00Edit.
  • 02i 0-
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4 Answers
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0There's probably something prescriptive on this.02br
02br
00Your replacement would be suitable. To my ear, "might" is even more polite, implying "if it's convenient for you," while "may" implies "I expect you to do it."02br
02br
00Edit. I don't know if you want me to mess with your question, 01b00but -02b00 01i00Will t
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0
0In both, to my ear, the speaker treats the listener as an inferior. 02br
01i00You may post these letters for me.02i02br
00This sounds to me like a coldly polite imperative. 01i00Post these letters for me.02i02br
01i00__________02i02br
01i00You might post these letters for me.02i02
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1i00Might i02i00s related to too much doubt. If you want to get the job done, and want to be polite, say: 02br
02br
01i01b00Please post02b00 these letters for me.02i02br
00or 02br
01i01b00Would you mind02b00 posting these letters for me? 02i02br
00However
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0Thank you very much for your replies! I understand now.0-
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