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Resha Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Can or may
Fire ____ be dangerous.(can/may)
which one is correct and why?
which one is correct and why?
Top answer
Fire CAN be dangerous. (we know it from basic personal experience) The fire MAY be dangerous. (we know it as we see how it's expanding and taking over the whole building) "Can" implies something is possible in theory, may implies possibility based on current circumstances.
- Fire CAN be dangerous.
- (we know it from basic personal experience) The fire MAY be dangerous.
- (we know it as we see how it's expanding and taking over the whole building) "Can" implies something is possible in theory, may implies possibility based on current circumstances.
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3 Answers
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Fire CAN be dangerous. (we know it from basic personal experience)
The fire MAY be dangerous. (we know it as we see how it's expanding and taking over the whole building)
"Can" implies something is possible in theory, may implies possibility based on current circumstances.
The fire MAY be dangerous. (we know it as we see how it's expanding and taking over the whole building)
"Can" implies something is possible in theory, may implies possibility based on current circumstances.
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"Can" is more likely. It expresses something fire is capable of being.
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From what I know, "may" is used for things we don't know for sure.
But in this case we know for sure that fire is dangerous so you need to use "can".
But in this case we know for sure that fire is dangerous so you need to use "can".
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