"may" or "can" ?

Forums: English, Grammar, Esl, Verbs, Can
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Hello,

Thank you for reading this post. I need your expertise in english for a particular case of the use of modal verbs.

I shared a Facebook page on a Facebook group in wich I do not have any authority, I am equal to the other members so nothing about permission is involved. After this, I added the comment:"You can like the page also." as a suggestion.

I have this debate with someone about the use of "can" in this situation. The other person says it is wrong to use "can" in this situation, and suggests, "may" was correct or more appropiate.

Can you help? I would really like to know how if I used it correctly and how to use modal verbs correctly in the future.

Thank you!

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Type: Question • Score: 6 • Views: 1,444 • Replies: 8

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You have permission to . . . (may)

You are able to . . . (can)

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@PUNKEY,

PUNKEY wrote:

You have permission to . . . (may)

You are able to . . . (can)

That is true, but CAN
is used so OFEN that we have all
gotten used to it.

David

0 Replies

Can I can this archaism?

How can I can a can, if I may?

May this thing be right but come what may..

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It depends on how formal you want to sound .

In this context, "may" is formal.

If it's informal you might say, "like this page if you want," and avoid the improper grammar dilemma.

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@PUNKEY,

Quote:

You have permission to . . . (may)

You are able to . . . (can)

FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, Punkey.

You can use my pen. = You have my permission to use my pen.

Of course 'can' also holds the meaning of ability.

Of course, one could also say, " You may use my pen", but the use of 'may' for permission is very rare as measured against CAN, COULD, WOULD.

0 Replies

@vladutnea,

Quote:

I shared a Facebook page on a Facebook group in which I do not have any authority, I am equal to the other members so nothing about permission is involved. After this, I added the comment:"You can like the page also." as a suggestion.

I have this debate with someone about the use of "can" in this situation. The other person says it is wrong to use "can" in this situation, and suggests, "may" was correct or more appropriate.

Can you help? I would really like to know [how] if I used it correctly and how to use modal verbs correctly in the future.

It's not possible to give you an answer without knowing more of the context involved in the situation. What conversation preceded your comment,
"You can like the page also"?

1 Reply

@JTT,

There was no conversation before, I just wanted to make a suggestion.

1 Reply

@vladutnea,

Quote:

I have this debate with someone about the use of "can" in this situation. The other person says it is wrong to use "can" in this situation, and suggests, "may" was correct or more appropriate.

Can you help? I would really like to know how if I used it correctly and how to use modal verbs correctly in the future.

Did the other person tell you why he/she considered it wrong?

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"may" or "can" ?

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