teach

[peter123]

hi there

You cannot / may not teach here without a teaching certificate.

Which one is better?

pete

 

[RedMtl]

hi there

You cannot / may not teach here without a teaching certificate.

Which one is better?

pete

Not a case of "better." There is only one choice.

"You cannot teach here without a teaching certificate."

You can use may, but the context has to be a bit different. For example: "You may not teach here unless you have a teaching certificate."

Hope this helps.

 

[peter123]

Hi there,
Thanks a lot.
Any difference between these twom in tone, politeness and formality?
What is the difference between 'can' and 'may' here?


You cannot teach here without a teaching certificate.

You may not teach here unless you have a teaching certificate.

Thanks
pete

 

[RedMtl]

Hi there,
Thanks a lot.
Any difference between these twom in tone, politeness and formality?
What is the difference between 'can' and 'may' here?


You cannot teach here without a teaching certificate.

You may not teach here unless you have a teaching certificate.

Thanks
pete

"You cannot teach here without a teaching certificate" is a statement of fact. There is no option. You must have the certificate.

"You may not teach here unless you have a teaching certificate" is politer, and rather less assertive. However, it means precisely the same thing. A certificate is required.

It also implies, slightly, that you might be able to teach somewhere else without a certificate, but not at the place to which you currently are applying.

Hope this helps!

 

[peter123]

Hi there,
then how about:

You (cannot/ may not) teach here unless you have a teaching certificate.

cannot-- not able to
may not --- not allowed to do.

Am I right?

Thanks
pete

 

[Shakespeare's brother]

Pete, 'may not' seems grammatically correct but hardly anyone would use it. Naturally, people will prefer 'cannot'.