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Wangqh2696122 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What's the diference between "may not" and "can not"?


What's the diference between "may not" and "can not"?

His appearance has changed so much that you ___ not recognize him.

A. may B. can

In the above case, which should I use?
  

Top answer

I would recommend "may not" to mean that you might or might not recognize him and "cannot" (one word) to mean that you will not recognize him.

— Anonymous

  • I would recommend "may not" to mean that you might or might not recognize him and "cannot" (one word) to mean that you will not recognize him.
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3 Answers
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I would recommend "may not" to mean that you might or might not recognize him and "cannot" (one word) to mean that you will not recognize him.
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wangqh2696122What's the difference between "may not" and "can not"?
His appearance has changed so much that you ___ not recognize him.
A. may B. can
A. His appearance has changed so much that you may not recognize him.
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His appearance has changed so much that it is possible that you (personally) wi
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wangqh2696122 What's the diference between "may not" and "can not"? His appearance has changed so much that you ___ not recognize him. A. may B. can In the above case, which should I use?

Both are possible. The modal auxiliary verbs 'may' and 'can' are both used to express possibilty or permission; 'can' has an additional use to express ability.
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