Can may

Question

I would be grateful if someone would explain the difference between "swimming can/may be dangerous".

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

In meaning, there is no difference.

CalifJim · Answer

Vladvdifference between "swimming can/may be dangerous".

Personally, I would use 'can' if the activity of swimming were the main topic of discussion and I wanted to make a general statement about the safety of it, compared to other activities perhaps: "Walking is generally safe, but swimming can be dangerous." (A general potential for danger.)

And I would use 'may' if talking about a specific place that looks like a good place to swim: "It's a beautiful lake, but sometimes there are alligators nearby, so swimming may be dangerous (there)." (A specific possibility of danger.)

That said, you can use 'may' in the first instance and 'can' in the second without seriously disturbing the linguistic universe.

CJ

Can may

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