can or may?
Many people draw a distinction between can, meaning "be able to," and may, meaning "be allowed to," but the distinction is hard to maintain in practice and the meanings often overlap. In everyday conversation, Can I go? is as likely to be used as May I go?, and the context, together with intonation, usually makes it clear what is meant. In more formal situations it is wise to maintain the distinction, if only because many people expect it. Note that may has ambiguities of its own. He may go can mean either "he is allowed to go" or "it is possible that he will go"; again, intonation and context clarify the matter. The negative contraction mayn't is awkward, and can't is usually used instead: Can't we come too?
|
