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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
May not/ cannot
About giving no permission, may not / cannot are available as I learned in Basic English lesson.
Let me ask a question to further an understanding of their usages.
1) You may not use my car.
2) You cannot use my car.
When someone is said, "You cannot use my car," then he asks, "Why not?"
Answer would be: It's now in repair. or My father is using it now.
If this is "You may not use my car," then he asks, "Why not?" are those answers still valid? : It's now in repair. or My father is using it now.
"may not" must assume a reason involing the one said so, in my impression, like "because you're
a little drunk."
What do you think of it?
Let me ask a question to further an understanding of their usages.
1) You may not use my car.
2) You cannot use my car.
When someone is said, "You cannot use my car," then he asks, "Why not?"
Answer would be: It's now in repair. or My father is using it now.
If this is "You may not use my car," then he asks, "Why not?" are those answers still valid? : It's now in repair. or My father is using it now.
"may not" must assume a reason involing the one said so, in my impression, like "because you're
a little drunk."
What do you think of it?
Top answer
[/nq] Traditionally, "can" referred to ability and "may" to permission. Today it is common to use "can" to include both ability and permission, leaving "may" for possibility. You will not usually see the same person using "can" for permission and also using "may" for permission.
- [/nq] Traditionally, "can" referred to ability and "may" to permission.
- Today it is common to use "can" to include both ability and permission, leaving "may" for possibility.
- You will not usually see the same person using "can" for permission and also using "may" for permission.
- " Answer would be: It's now in repair.
- [/nq] That is about ability, so "cannot" is correct.
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6 Answers
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[nq:1]About giving no permission, may not / cannot are available as I learned in Basic English lesson.[/nq]
Traditionally, "can" referred to ability and "may" to permission. Today it is common to use "can" to include both ability and permission, leaving "may" for possibility. You will not usually see the same person using "can" for permission and also using "may" for permission.
[nq:1]When
Traditionally, "can" referred to ability and "may" to permission. Today it is common to use "can" to include both ability and permission, leaving "may" for possibility. You will not usually see the same person using "can" for permission and also using "may" for permission.
[nq:1]When
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[nq:1]About giving no permission, may not / cannot are available as I learned in Basic English lesson. Let me ask ... involing the one said so, in my impression, like "because you're a little drunk." What do you think of it?[/nq]
I think "You may not use my car" could equally well mean "It is possible that you won't use my car", so I consider the whole distinction a bit pointless.
Rob
I think "You may not use my car" could equally well mean "It is possible that you won't use my car", so I consider the whole distinction a bit pointless.
Rob
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[nq:2]About giving no permission, may not / cannot are available ... you're a little drunk." What do you think of it?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think "You may not use my car" could equally well mean "It is possible that you won't use my car", so I consider the whole distinction a bit pointless.[/nq]
Well, that should be "It is possible the you might not use my car", innit? Pedantically speaking,
[nq:1]I think "You may not use my car" could equally well mean "It is possible that you won't use my car", so I consider the whole distinction a bit pointless.[/nq]
Well, that should be "It is possible the you might not use my car", innit? Pedantically speaking,
00
[nq:2]I think "You may not use my car" could equally ... car", so I consider the whole distinction a bit pointless.[/nq]
[nq:1]Well, that should be "It is possible the you might not use my car", innit? Pedantically speaking, of course.[/nq]
That seems vaguely tautological to me, since "it is possible" already covers the meaning of "might". Of course, in some circles might is always
[nq:1]Well, that should be "It is possible the you might not use my car", innit? Pedantically speaking, of course.[/nq]
That seems vaguely tautological to me, since "it is possible" already covers the meaning of "might". Of course, in some circles might is always
00
[nq:2]Well, that should be "It is possible the you might not use my car", innit? Pedantically speaking, of course.[/nq]
[nq:1]That seems vaguely tautological to me, since "it is possible" already covers the meaning of "might". Of course, in some circles might is always right.[/nq]
Hmm, have you considered that it is also possible that you might use my car? The possibilities are ther
[nq:1]That seems vaguely tautological to me, since "it is possible" already covers the meaning of "might". Of course, in some circles might is always right.[/nq]
Hmm, have you considered that it is also possible that you might use my car? The possibilities are ther
00
[nq:2]That seems vaguely tautological to me, since "it is possible" already covers the meaning of "might". Of course, in some circles might is always right.[/nq]
[nq:1]Hmm, have you considered that it is also possible that you might use my car? The possibilities are there both ways.[/nq]
I may use your car or I may not. It depends on how easy it is to break into and whether it's near the b
[nq:1]Hmm, have you considered that it is also possible that you might use my car? The possibilities are there both ways.[/nq]
I may use your car or I may not. It depends on how easy it is to break into and whether it's near the b
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