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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
How may I help you?
0 Will someone help me with my grammar question? Is it improper to say, "How can I help you?" Is the correct question, "How may I help you?" Please help! 0-
Top answer
". 05 0 010id 37
- ".
- 05 0 010id 37
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9 Answers
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0 Hello Anon, 02 br
02 br
00 I don't know, I would say "how can I help you?". "How may I help you?" sounds weird.. 05 0 010id 37
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00 I don't know, I would say "how can I help you?". "How may I help you?" sounds weird.. 05 0 010id 37
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0 Both versions are ok, it's just that "may" used that way tends to sound very formal in certain situations. It is still used, anyway. The version with "can" is much more "friendly" and likely to be heard in most situations, except very formal situation. 02 br
00 This is just my opinion, I know there are many different opinions on that (some will even tell you "can" is incorrect, and to
00 This is just my opinion, I know there are many different opinions on that (some will even tell you "can" is incorrect, and to
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0 In everyday situations between people who know one another you will hear 01 i 00 How can I help you? 02 i 00 more often than 01 i 00 How may I help you? 02 i 00 although both are possible. 02 br
00 You are more likely to hear 01 i 00 How may I help you? 02 i 00 from a salesperson in a shop or department store. It's a sort of formu
00 You are more likely to hear 01 i 00 How may I help you? 02 i 00 from a salesperson in a shop or department store. It's a sort of formu
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0 01 blockquote
00 I've heard
01 cite 10 CalifJim 12 cite 10 You are more likely to hear 11 i 10 How may I help you? 12 i 10 from a salesperson in a shop or department store. 12 br10 Yeah, it seems it's often used in those kind of "public situations"... Good morning sir, may I help you? 02 br
12 blockquote
00 I've heard
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my 2-cents worth: you either say "How can I help you?" OR "May I help you?" BUT NOT "How MAY I help you?" the last one really sounds weird!
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Contrary to what some have stated about "sounding right" proper language is not based what "sounds right" but by what is grammatically correct. Basing language on what sounds right is always subject to interpretation; rules of grammar are not.
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Wrong, wrong, wrong. Language is NOT fixed. What "sounds" right is usually what is conversational. Rules are made to be broken -- esp. gram rules.
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I agree with How can I help you. I get so tired of seeing "How may I help you" all over the Walmart employees'
backs and many people answer the phone that way. Come on.........correct your grammar !!!
backs and many people answer the phone that way. Come on.........correct your grammar !!!
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"May" is generally used for permission. May I go to the restroom? You may (are granted permission to) go to the restroom.
"Can" is to demonstrate the ability. You can go to the restroom by yourself.
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