Can/May in the sense of permission

[Barman]

In the sense of permission, which form is used?

1) You may go.

2) You can go.

 

[emsr2d2]

You'll hear both. Some would say that only "may" works because "can" could suggest ability, not permission.

 

[Barman]

You'll hear both. Some would say that only "may" works because "can" could suggest ability, not permission.

In the sense of permission, which form is more polite?

1) May I go now?

2) Might I go now?

 

[emsr2d2]

"May I go now?" is more polite/formal than "Can I go now?" Using "Might I go now?" would suggest you had travelled in time from the start of last century or earlier! I don't know any BrE speakers who would use it these days. My grandfather (born in 1921) would have used it.

 

[Tdol]

Some would say that only "may" works because "can" could suggest ability, not permission.

But they're wrong- we use can for both- it's misguided pedantry.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

"May I go now?" is more polite/formal than "Can I go now?" Using "Might I go now?" would suggest you had travelled in time from the start of last century or earlier! I don't know any BrE speakers who would use it these days. My grandfather (born in 1921) would have used it.

Exactly. My dad is the only person I've ever heard use it, and he was born in 1910.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

But they're wrong- we use can for both- it's misguided pedantry.

I confess I like may for permission, can for ability, and might for probability.

But why sweat the small stuff? It's not important to the study of English.

(As you might have guessed, my stuffed-shirt gene comes from my father's side.)

 

[teechar]

Remember that "might" is weaker/less likely than "may". Thus for example, "Might I go now?" may be said by someone who believes he/she should have been allowed to leave earlier.

Boss: Oh, look at the time. I'm sorry to have kept you so long. Have you done the accounts?
Secretary: Yes, all done.
Boss: And replied to those emails?
Secretary: Of course.
Boss: And typed up those notices?
Secretary: Yes, I did.
Boss: Great!
Secretary [sighing]: Might I go now?

 

[teechar]

Might I ask why?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Might I ask why?

See posts 4 and 5.

 

[Tdol]

I confess I like may for permission, can for ability, and might for probability.

Liking something is fine- we all have our preferences, and my shirt is not unstuffed. The classic example of the pedant's clever answer to the question Can I come in? grates, however.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Liking something is fine- we all have our preferences, and my shirt is not unstuffed. The classic example of the pedant's clever answer to the question Can I come in? grates, however.

There's a thin line between pedantic and rude.

Hm. I take that back. There's no line whatsoever.