0
Soheil1 Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

May well

Hi
accrording to OALD, in:
You may well ask
may well means with good reason

but in
You may well be right.
'may well' mean 'probably'
(
http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/well_1
)

Please explain why.What's the difference between the two 'may well'?

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

" The first one could be giving permission. " Even "You may ask" alone can be ambiguous : I give you permission to ask. Maybe you'll ask and maybe you won't.

— Avangi

  • " The first one could be giving permission.
  • " Even "You may ask" alone can be ambiguous : I give you permission to ask.
  • Maybe you'll ask and maybe you won't.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

9 Answers
0
I'd explain it as two different senses of "may."

The first one could be giving permission.

The second one could be "there's a strong possibility."

Even "You may ask" alone can be ambiguous:

I give you permission to ask.
Maybe you'll ask and maybe you won't.
0
0
Why is it that 'You may ask' is ambiguous but 'You may well ask' is not?
0
0
"You may well ask" is a fixed expression, and "You may ask" is (arguably) not.
So when you use "You may ask" without explanatory context, either sense of "may" can apply.
But on the other hand, in real life there's almost always context.
0
0
soheil1What's the difference between the two 'may well'?
Doesn't the dictionary already tell you that?
0
0
How to know when to assume one meaning and when another?
0
0
Study and experience.
0
0
soheil1How to know when to assume one meaning and when another?
After a while, it will just come to you automatically. You won't even try to guess which meaning is intended. Don't worry about it.
0
0
You are British?
CalifJim soheil1How to know when to assume one meaning and when another?After a while, it will just come to you automatically. You won't even try to guess which meaning is intended. Don't worry about it. CJ
0
0
soheil1You are British?
No. "Calif" in "CalifJim" stands for California, and that's my clue to readers that I am American.
0

Related Questions