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Seraphin Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
"may not" ...
I am always confused about the following expression of "may not" and do not know what message it truly intends to convey.
"You may not use this for commercial purpose"
"You may not use this for clinical purpose"
"You may not apply if you are under 18"
According to the dictionary, the "may not" above is (probably) used to express opportunity or permission. But I seriously doubt if a permission would be granted even when sought. If no permission would be granted, why wouldn't they just use "cannot" or "must not" instead?
"You may not use this for commercial purpose"
"You may not use this for clinical purpose"
"You may not apply if you are under 18"
According to the dictionary, the "may not" above is (probably) used to express opportunity or permission. But I seriously doubt if a permission would be granted even when sought. If no permission would be granted, why wouldn't they just use "cannot" or "must not" instead?
Top answer
If it says "you may do something" it means you have permission. If it says "you may not do something" it means you are not permitted to do that. In other words, your forbidden to do that.
- If it says "you may do something" it means you have permission.
- If it says "you may not do something" it means you are not permitted to do that.
- In other words, your forbidden to do that.
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2 Answers
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If it says "you may do something" it means you have permission.
If it says "you may not do something" it means you are not permitted to do that. In other words, your forbidden to do that.
If it says "you may not do something" it means you are not permitted to do that. In other words, your forbidden to do that.
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SeraphinIf no permission would be granted, why wouldn't they just use "cannot" or "must not" instead?They could have used "cannot", but that is subject to the misinterpretation "you don't have the ability to ...".
"must not" would have conveyed an undesired impression of a rude sort of bossiness.
"may not" in such contexts is considered more polite an
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