Would vs May in the second person
I have a colleague who is driving me crazy. She constantly uses "May" when asking a second person question. "May you please send an email to management..." My understanding is that "May" should only be used in first person. ie: "May I please go to the movie?" If you use the second person, you use 'would.' "Would you please get me a cup of coffee?" Is my understanding correct or is her usage less used, but also acceptable?
Top answer
walk walk 189 I have a colleague who is driving me crazy. I think she would drive me crazy too. Is she a native speaker?
- walk walk 189 I have a colleague who is driving me crazy.
- I think she would drive me crazy too.
- Is she a native speaker?
- walk walk 189 May you please send an email to management ...
- Wrong.
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walk walk 189I have a colleague who is driving me crazy.
I think she would drive me crazy too. Is she a native speaker?
walk walk 189May you please send an email to management ...
Wrong. 'may' should be 'can', 'could', or 'would', depending on the shade of meaning desired, but 'may' will not do at all.
CJ
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