modal verbs - The difference between "can be" and "may be"?
The first thing to say is that the use of modal verbs is a complicated subject, since a given modal verb can have different uses, and different modal verbs may have a similar use. The following is based on the advise given in "Science Research Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English". This book lists the following uses for can and may ...
sentence meaning - may(=possibility) vs. can(=possibility)
Aug 28, 2023 · There is, however, a rather formal use of may where the meaning of 'possibility' is the same as for can.Thus in Transitive verbs in English may be either active or passive, can could be substitute for may with no change of meaning.
"may" vs "can" difference - English Language Learners Stack …
Feb 22, 2021 · "May" can replace "can" in all three examples. "You may" also can be interpreted as "you are permitted". "Can" should, as a rule, describe the ability to do something. In examples 1, and 3, "can" makes an assumption about the ability …
Can be vs. may be - English Language Learners Stack Exchange
Feb 13, 2023 · X can be Z. X may be Z. Can these two expressions be used interchangeably, or is there a subtle difference? If so, could you explain it? I have been checking many usage examples and they seem 100% interchangeable. I have found many instances of exactly the same sentence using both can and may, and, to me, their meaning seems to be the same.
"May I have a glass of water" vs. "Can I have a glass of water": …
Jul 2, 2016 · The Oxford Dictionary also says that "Can I" is possible, although less formal: But the 'permission' use of can is not in fact incorrect in standard English. The only difference between the two verbs is that one is more polite than the other. In informal contexts it’s perfectly acceptable to use can; in formal situations it would be better to ...
modal verbs - May vs can, could or would - English Language …
Oct 13, 2015 · Here the past-tense form of may expresses "modal remoteness"; in conjunction with please it suggests the speaker's reluctance to couch his request in the more demanding form of the imperative "Please call me". It has pretty much the same effect as …
What's the difference between "could", "may" and "might"?
So you may be able to work abroad and you might be able to work abroad mean exactly the same thing but the latter works better after a main verb in the past tense. You can work abroad states that you have either the skills or the go-ahead (or both) to do so.
Use of "can" or "may" to imply possibility [duplicate]
Can means that something is possible in the sense that it is able to occur. It can get very dark at night. Ice cream can melt quickly in hot temperatures. May means that something is possible in the sense that there is a chance that it occurs. It may get very dark, so bring a flashlight with you. The ice cream may melt quickly, so buy some ...
Correct usage of modals, "need to", and "may"
Dec 21, 2024 · So, can anybody tell me if these modals are correct as is or should I swap them with each other to form the correct sentences, basically just need justification for their usage in these sentences. Justification for my answer: usage of "need to" in a suggestive tone. usage of "may" as in telling a general instruction.
Can/could vs. may/might (expressing typical occurrences)
May is also used in academic and scientific contexts to describe a range within which possible outcomes lie: A female crocodile may lay 30-40 eggs. The flowers may have five or six petals, pink or red in colour. Either of these may uses can be expressed with can in colloquial registers. Colloquial can has largely (but not entirely) replaced may.