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Difference Between Can and May
May
6
2011
What are the differences between Can and May?
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Answer #1
The English language is indeed broad and stretches to many branches and interconnections. Part of most sentences constructions is the use of linking verbs. Linking verbs are a word or two that helps words be connected to another to form sensible sentences. Aside from the commonly used linking verbs of is and are, there are other linking verbs that are also utilized to make sentences sound more appropriate. These linking verbs are can and may. For many people, can and may bear no difference since they imply the same thing. However, many language critics have made it clear that can and may are two distinct words.
Can and may mainly bear disparity in use. While can provide a higher implication of possibility, the use of may more commonly implies lesser chance that certain things will occur. this has always been the major disparity between the two linking verbs.
Another divergence between the two is their impact to the sentences that utilize them. The term, can, more often provides encouragement and motivation. It has the power to urge, move forward and think positively always. The word, may, however, provides possibilities instead of firm statements. It somehow implies that there exists certain confusion between the topics at hand or the subject matter being put into concern.
More so, can and may can be used in stating a question in different ways as well. While using can in a query can imply, asking for one’s potential, ability or capability, the use of the word, may, implies otherwise, just as how it implies to sentences.
Because of the wide scope of the English language and literature, misusage and misconceptions on the variety of words is highly possible. It is vital therefore, that their nature be fully known and understood.