| Votes: 241 |
Comments: 4 |
Added: November 2004 |
Comments:
| MrTrilby - 1st February 2006 12:12
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| Yet another poll that needs a "both" option. It's contexual: "May I help you?" is better when one sees someone doing something that they seem to need help with (moving a piano, struggling with luggage); speculatively (as when a customer is approached by a shop assistant), "Can I help you?" is better, but both would be acceptable.
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| Martin - 2nd May 2006 03:47
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| Nothing is gramaticlly wrong with either however the meanings of both are different. "Can I help you?" litterally mean "Do I possess the ability to help you?" where as "may I help you?" means "Would you allow me to help you?"
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| arnquist - 1st October 2006 20:58
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| 'Can' sounds more natural in spoken American English, which makes 'may' sound more polite.
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| YHL - 21st September 2007 14:51
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They are both correct, but used in different circumstances.
Can - when you are unsure the person is in difficulties.
May - whether the person is in difficulties want any assistance
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