U
Unregistered
Guest
I recall at school having a teacher that used the 'may I' to correct people. The typical example was a student would say "can I come in Sir?" his standard reply was "I don't know can you?"
This has stuck with me since but I realise now that hardly anyone users 'May I" when requesting something. Is it another Americanism as TV presenters, actors and politicians all use it. Did 'Can I' become the normal. In other languages i.e. spanish they use inflection to over come the problem.
What is the teachers view on this?
This has stuck with me since but I realise now that hardly anyone users 'May I" when requesting something. Is it another Americanism as TV presenters, actors and politicians all use it. Did 'Can I' become the normal. In other languages i.e. spanish they use inflection to over come the problem.
What is the teachers view on this?