29-11-2021, 03:22 PM
CAN and MAY.
I was graphically taught the distinction at the age of eleven. In a Latin class taken by our headmaster one boy, ( responding to a call of nature ) asked " Can I leave the room? " " Yes. " the headmaster replied, but just as the boy was opening the door he was hit on the back of the head by the board-rubber propelled by the headmaster. ( remember this was the '50s ! ) " Where are YOU going? " he thundered. Much confusion by the boy who said he'd been given permission. " No, you hadn't ! " the head replied. " You asked whether you CAN leave the room; you can, you have legs, but you didn't ask as to whether you MAY leave. No, you cannot! " I forget whether the boy wet himself!!
I was graphically taught the distinction at the age of eleven. In a Latin class taken by our headmaster one boy, ( responding to a call of nature ) asked " Can I leave the room? " " Yes. " the headmaster replied, but just as the boy was opening the door he was hit on the back of the head by the board-rubber propelled by the headmaster. ( remember this was the '50s ! ) " Where are YOU going? " he thundered. Much confusion by the boy who said he'd been given permission. " No, you hadn't ! " the head replied. " You asked whether you CAN leave the room; you can, you have legs, but you didn't ask as to whether you MAY leave. No, you cannot! " I forget whether the boy wet himself!!