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"Can I have a word?"

(57 Posts)
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Galen Fri 24-Jan-14 22:24:47

Oh! And should, shall, also!

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Ana Fri 24-Jan-14 22:24:41

Well, yes...not disputing that. confused
(Although I am not Aka)

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Galen Fri 24-Jan-14 22:23:45

People ( like my DD) who confuse may and can, and shall and will, drive me potty!

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Grannyknot Fri 24-Jan-14 22:01:36

They can, Aka... but only the one!

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durhamjen Fri 24-Jan-14 21:53:22

They are actually actors, reading words that someone else has written. They do not have to be polite all the time.

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Ana Fri 24-Jan-14 21:50:45

Although, strictly speaking, they CAN have a word...

If they asked whether they 'may' have a word, then you could say "No".

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Grannyknot Fri 24-Jan-14 21:47:21

Am sitting watching pretending to watch Silent Witness with husband, the main character has said the above 3 times in this episode to various people.

Firstly, shouldn't it be may I have a word? Secondly, she should say "please". Thirdly, my experience has been that it's usually a bollocking lots of words as is the case in this show.

So if anyone says "Can I have a word?" to me, am gonna reply "No" instead of meekly stepping aside as seems to be required smile

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