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Pedants' corner

Can and May

(27 Posts)
Alexa Tue 11-May-21 10:32:33

Which is correct "Labour may become popular again" or "Labour might become popular again" ?

Mollygo Tue 11-May-21 10:17:25

Am I the only one who remembers this?
Today on the news it was announced that in six days we can hug our family.
Actually, no I can’t because they live too far away, some abroad with Covid restrictions in place.
We were taught they meant different things.
We can = we are able to . . .
We may= we are allowed to. . .
It was a regular ‘joke’ at meal times until we remembered.
“Please can I leave the table?”
“Well you can leave it, because you can’t take it with you, but you may not leave it until everyone has finished.”