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hellywelly4 | 19:44 Mon 09th Sep 2024 | Film, Media & TV
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I'm so delighted tonight as the contestants are saying. 'may we' instead of 'can we'. Doesn't often happen.

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I can't see the need to use, "can" or "may" since there won't be a refusal, will there?

On balance I think that life's too short.

Mais qui?

Eh?

Mais, oui

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There is a distinct difference between the two. Can I usually means can I do something, whereas may I is asking permission to do something.

It's not easy to explain but the distinction is very clear.

The opacity of your clarity is striking, HW4.

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Well I am old, Douglas!!!

 

I felt your pleasure, helly.  I was also pleased toend up with 9 right... including the missing vowels round!

'May' and 'Can' are very different in meaning and it is a necessary one.

"may I is asking permission to do something." I'm not disputing that but in this instance, they have been invited to make a choice so they already have that  "permission". 

A subtle one TCL.  I see where you are coming from.  I'm not quite convinced.

If "may" is required because "permission" is being sought, when would it be refused?

Could have been referring to teammates?  Or imperfectly understood.

May

Can

It really doesn't bother me.

I definitely prefer a can of beer to a may, especially on a school night.

I'm with HW4 here.

It really annoys me when, in a takeaway establishment (or similar), I hear people using the US phrase "Can I get . . . ?", rather than the British "May I have . . . ?" (or, far simpler anyway, just adding "Please" after stating their order)

If it were available and a contestant asked, "May I have the horned viper?", would Victoria deny the request?

She wouldn't, would she? Why then, is "permission" required?

Why answer her question with a question? Just say, we will have the horned viper. Or the horned viper, please.

I agree, hellywelly. There is a distinct difference between "may" and "can".

It's a sign of the times, I'm afraid. Bad grammar and spelling. I particularly dislike "fone" instead of "phone".

I prefer, " 'phone " to, "phone"...

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