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Inchoateknowledge Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
proform
In the words of Randolph Quirk: "As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can, which (except in phrases such as if I may) can be substituted for it."
What is the antecedent of 'it'? It is 'may', is it not?
So, 'can' can be substituted for 'may'.
It is clear so far.
If I say 'can' can substitute for 'may' it means 'can' may take the place of 'may'.
Clear.
If I use passive: "'can' can be substituted for 'may'." then the object takes the place of the agent: 'may' may take the place of can = 'can' can be substituted for 'may'.
Clear.
But then, this proposition is not reconciliable with what is written within the brackets: "except in phrases such as if I may"
"except in phrases such as if I may" It suggests to me 'can' can not always take the place of 'may'.
The original sentence is opaque to me.
question: if I am wrong, from where is my reasoning bleeding?
'can' can not always take the place of 'may' and 'may' may take the place of 'can'
These facts are reconciliable, but I can not catch the thread of thought of the sentence.
'may' may take the place of 'can' (except in phrases such as if I may) ????
What is the antecedent of 'it'? It is 'may', is it not?
So, 'can' can be substituted for 'may'.
It is clear so far.
If I say 'can' can substitute for 'may' it means 'can' may take the place of 'may'.
Clear.
If I use passive: "'can' can be substituted for 'may'." then the object takes the place of the agent: 'may' may take the place of can = 'can' can be substituted for 'may'.
Clear.
But then, this proposition is not reconciliable with what is written within the brackets: "except in phrases such as if I may"
"except in phrases such as if I may" It suggests to me 'can' can not always take the place of 'may'.
The original sentence is opaque to me.
question: if I am wrong, from where is my reasoning bleeding?
'can' can not always take the place of 'may' and 'may' may take the place of 'can'
These facts are reconciliable, but I can not catch the thread of thought of the sentence.
'may' may take the place of 'can' (except in phrases such as if I may) ????
Top answer
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- Read again, I have made alterations in the text.
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18 Answers
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For permission:
Can/May I go to the ball?
If I may speak...
*If I can speak...
Can/May I go to the ball?
If I may speak...
*If I can speak...
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InchoateknowledgeIn the words of Randolph Quirk: "As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can, which (except in phrases such as if I may) can be substituted for it."
What is the antecedent of 'it'? It is 'may', is it not?
So, 'can' can be substituted for 'may'.
It is clea
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Hello IK, your question confused me so much!
InchoateknowledgeIn the words of Randolph Quirk: "As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can, which (except in phrases such as if I may) can be substituted for it."
What is the antecedent of 'it'? It is 'may', is it not?
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FeathersHello IK, your question confused me so much!InchoateknowledgeIn the words of Randolph Quirk: "As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can, which (except in phrases such as if I may) can be substituted for it."
What is the antecedent of 'it'?
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http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=79491&dict=CALD
to use something or someone instead of another thing or person:
Dayton was substituted for Williams in the second half
to use something or someone instead of another thing or person:
Dayton was substituted for Williams in the second half
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MilkyFor permission:
Can/May I go to the ball?
If I may speak...
*If I can speak...
This was not my question.
anyway, thank you.
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As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can, which (except in phrases such as if I may) can be substituted for it.
As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can. Can can be substituted for it/may, except in phrases such as "if I may".
As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can. Can can be substituted for it/may, except in phrases such as "if I may".
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<You can substitute oil for butter in this recipe.
Does it say if you do not have butter you can use oil?>
Yes, And, if you are allergic to butter or prefer oil for any reason, you can substitute one for the other.
Does it say if you do not have butter you can use oil?>
Yes, And, if you are allergic to butter or prefer oil for any reason, you can substitute one for the other.
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Inchoateknowledge As a permission auxiliary, may is more formal and less common than can, which (except in phrases such as if I may) can be substituted for it.
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