Comments on: Using “May” in a Question

By: Maeve

Maeve — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:43:23 +0000

@Peach
I can’t think of a child who would say “May you come over to play?” For one thing, it’s not idiomatic. For another, when a child is asked to come over to play, ability depends upon parental permission so “can you” is appropriate.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:00:01 +0000

Rhett: but “can” also has exactly the same sense you’re giving for “may” (people who tell you “can I use the toilet” is wrong — and I know a lot of people do — simply don’t know what they’re talking about: tell them to get a dictionary). “It may rain” is stating a possibility, not granting permission, and the “may” in “it may rain, but I’ll be warm and dry in this coat” means “even if it should [rain]“. Similarly, “it will rain” is stating a fact about the future, not a preference.

By: Peach

Peach — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:51:35 +0000

I can think of “may you” questions! What if a child asks another child “May you come over to play?” – in other words, are you *allowed* to come over to play, clearly different from the “can” and “will” versions.

By: Rhett

Rhett — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:34:27 +0000

It is a fuzzy area. For me, the true distinction for using may,can, or will comes down to the definition of the words:
- may: involving permission
- can: involving ability; involving empowerment
- will: involving the personal preference of the requested party.

May I use the toilet? (right. asking permission)
Can you come with me to the store? (right: asking ability)
Will you help me? (right: asking preference)
Can you help me?(may be right- if it’s regarding ability.)

gosh, I love language.

By: Maeve

Maeve — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:54:35 +0000

@ Deborah H

Ah, the good old days!

I recall correcting a student’s grammar in a high school classroom setting in about 1995. Something to do with pronouns. She retorted in some dudgeon, “I don’t talk that way!”