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Milky Posted 20 years ago
Linguistics Studies

Is may for permission dying?

Here are the results from the BNC (see below) for a search of:

can I

may I

might I

Spoken English. Out of one million words each item:

http://view.byu.edu/x3.asp?s=n&w4=can&c4=&w5=I&c5= 3062

http://view.byu.edu/x3.asp?s=n&w4=may&c4=&w5=I&c5= 254

http://view.byu.edu/x3.asp?s=n&w4=might&c4=&w5=I&c5= 38
  

Top answer

Maybe...

— Pucca

  • Maybe...
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10 Answers
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Yes! i use it!:D

Do you?
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PuccaYes! i use it!:D

Do you?
Only with my mum.
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And teachers??
I have to use it with my teachers..Emotion: stick out tongue
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Not with this one. Use "can" when you speak to me.

Emotion: big smile
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From the BNC (

Let's look at a few typical phrases:

can I borrow.. 69

may I borrow... 6

can I just say... 81

may I just say.. 9

can I ask you... 77

may I ask you... 26

can I come...114

may I come.. 30

Interesting:

can I suggest... 35

may I suggest... 59

can I remind... 17

m
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Do you use it?
[may to ask permission]

Yes. Once every death of a pope, as they say. Emotion: smile
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Like, "may he rest in peace"? Emotion: star
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