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Marrion
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 303
Location: KOREA
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 Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:57 pm Post subject: "Yes, you may." and "Yes, you can." |
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A: May I ride a bike outside?
B: [1] Yes, you can.
[2] Yes, you may.
From this dialogue, when answering at "B", which one is more correct, [1] or [2]?
Otherwise, are [1] and [2] all correct?
Last edited by Marrion on Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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redset
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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I guess 2 is more correct, since it also uses may, but 1 is fine too. Using may the question is asking 'will you allow me to ride a bike outside?' Can has this meaning of being allowed to do something, but 'yes, you can' also means 'yes, it is possible/you are able'. Compare:
'Can I jump on your sofa?'
"Of course you can - it would be very easy to do."
'May I jump on your sofa?'
"No! Your shoes are dirty and you might break it!"
Can is used informally to say that someone is allowed to do something (like may), but really it's used to say if something is possible. So 2 is the safer option here. |
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Marrion
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 303
Location: KOREA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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Now, I understand your answer.
Really, thank you.
Once again, thank you very much.
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