Hi all,
Would you please let me know if there is a difference in nuance between the following sentences?
You may use this photo on your site.
You can use this photo on your site.
Aikamama
Hi all,
Would you please let me know if there is a difference in nuance between the following sentences?
You may use this photo on your site.
You can use this photo on your site.
Aikamama
In meaning, no. In nuance, yes.
‘May’ is a little softer.
Most Native English Speakers in Western civilisation wouldn’t be concerned about the difference though.
Thank you again Beeesneees!
Hi Aikamama,
There is still a subtlety in difference between ‘may’ and ‘can’ going back to the idea of permission with ‘may’ and ability with ‘can’, which is probably worth considering.
In your two sentences:
. This could suggest that you have permission to use the photo
This could suggest that you are able to use the photo
The differences are lost in conversation when people ask: May I help you ? or Can I help you?
Alan
I wonder if both “please” and “difference in” are redundant in the quoted sentence above.
Would you let me know if there is a nuance between the following sentences?
Thanks
hello,
Good manners are never redundant. What’s wrong with using ‘please’?
“Difference in” is required in that sentence.