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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

"May" or "Can"

Hello,
Thank you for reading this post. I need your expertise in english for a particular case of the use of modal verbs.
I shared a Facebook page on a Facebook group in wich I do not have any authority, I am equal to the other members so nothing about permission is involved. After this, I added the comment:"You can like the page also." as a suggestion.
I have this debate with someone about the use of "can" in this situation. The other person says it is wrong to use "can" in this situation, and suggests, "may" was correct or more appropiate.
Can you help? I would really like to know how if I used it correctly and how to use modal verbs correctly in the future.
Thank you!
  

Top answer

Do you mean "like" in the normal English-language sense of the word, or in the special Facebook sense?

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  • Do you mean "like" in the normal English-language sense of the word, or in the special Facebook sense?
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12 Answers
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Do you mean "like" in the normal English-language sense of the word, or in the special Facebook sense?
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may = I, the speaker, am authorised to give permission on X action
can = Another person is authorised and I can tell you their position on X action

May we smoke in here? = Will you, the listener, allow us to smoke in here?
Can we smoke in here? = Can you, the listener, tell us what the rules are regarding smoking in here?
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I can't think why the other person thought "may" was a better choice. Assuming you did mean "Facebook like" you were just saying "Hey, if you like [normal sense of the word] this page, you can "like" [Facebook sense] it too.

It's not like you were granting them permission to like it - "You may now like the page... no wait.. I've decided I'm the only one who can like it. Keep your fingers
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AnonymousI have this debate with someone about the use of "can" in this situation. The other person says it is wrong to use "can" in this situation, and suggests, "may" was correct or more appropiate.
It's not wrong to use "can". "may" is not more appropriate.

CJ
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CalifJim AnonymousI have this debate with someone about the use of "can" in this situation. The other person says it is wrong to use "can" in this situation, and suggests, "may" was correct or more appropiate.It's not wrong to use "can". "may" is not more appropriate.CJ
Then why have both words?
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AnonymousThen why have both words?
We did not invent the English language. English has many words that can be interchangeable, depending on the context.

May and can are not always interchangeable.

I can swim.
He may be coming to dinner tonight.
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AnonymousThen why have both words?
This question shows that you have misunderstood something. It seems that you think that my answer is equivalent to saying that "may" and "can" have the same meaning. They don't, and nothing in my reply says they do.

CJ
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Yes, Alphecca Stars, I know that, but we are focussing on the "permission" usage here. Do you distinguish "may" and "can" in such usage?
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With permission, some people use 'may', others 'can'. Despite what pedants may claim, 'can' is acceptable for most people, and means the same as 'may' .

'My/Can I borrow your car this evening, please?'
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In the "Facebook" sense of the word.
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