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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
You may vs. you could
Student: Can I also use the past form to show politeness instead of the present form?
Teacher: You may. You could.
1. What is the difference in meaning between "you may" and "you could", if any?
2. Can they be used interchangeably in the above context?
3. Can both phrases always be used interchangeably with no change in meaning?
I would very much appreciate your help, please.
Teacher: You may. You could.
1. What is the difference in meaning between "you may" and "you could", if any?
2. Can they be used interchangeably in the above context?
3. Can both phrases always be used interchangeably with no change in meaning?
I would very much appreciate your help, please.
Top answer
1. In this context, there's no difference. 2.
- 1.
- In this context, there's no difference.
- 2.
- Yes.
- 3.
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2 Answers
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AnonymousTeacher: You may. You could.1a. You may. ~ You are permitted to do that. It's not wrong.
1b. You could. ~ It's your decision. Do that or not, as you like.
2. They are similar, but I would not claim that they are exactly equal.
3. No. They are not interchangeable in the general case.
CJ
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