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Silak12 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Don' t use may/might with verbs to be?
Hi! everyone. I was reading about the difference between may and might and came acrossthis page (http://www.economist.com/style-guide/may-might) where the following is written: " Do not use may or might when the appropriate verb is to be. His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister may go. The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats should be His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go. The danger for them is that they will all lose their seats."
I can't figure out how the coloured sentence relate to the examples below it. Could you help me understand the colored one?
Thanks!
I can't figure out how the coloured sentence relate to the examples below it. Could you help me understand the colored one?
Thanks!
Top answer
It's referring to the conjugated forms of "to be". His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister may go . The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats should be His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go .
- It's referring to the conjugated forms of "to be".
- His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister may go .
- The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats should be His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go .
- The danger for them is that they will all lose their seats.
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8 Answers
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It's referring to the conjugated forms of "to be".
His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister may go. The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats should be His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go. The danger for them is that they will all lose their seats.
His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister may go. The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats should be His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go. The danger for them is that they will all lose their seats.
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VorparIt's referring to the conjugated forms of "to be".Thanks for your time sir. But I still don't get it.
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His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister may go.
The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats
His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go.
The danger for them is that they
The danger for them is that they may all lose their seats
His colleagues wonder how far the prime minister will go.
The danger for them is that they
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AlpheccaStarsWill is a form of be.Thanks! Alphecca.
So, do you mean "Will" here actually means "going to be"?
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silak12So, do you mean "Will" here actually means "going to be"?No. It is the modal verb for the simple future (will be).
They were saying to use the modal "will." I see your point.
I will get on a plane at 6:00 and fly to Washington.
He will graduate in 2017.
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AlpheccaStarsNo. It is the modal verb for the simple future.Sorry I mistakenly wrote "going to be" when I was intending to write "be going to".
I still have the same question how is "Will" a form of "be"?
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silak12Do not use may or might when the appropriate verb is to be.I find this poorly worded. Don't use 'may' or 'might' as a substitute for 'will'. All three are modal verbs. It's just saying "Choose the appropriate modal verb".
CJ
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CalifJimI find this poorly worded. Don't use 'may' or 'might' as a substitute for 'will'. All three are modal verbs. It's just saying "Choose the appropriate modal verb".Thanks CJ it's clear now.
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