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What are the two greatest words in the English language
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May I ?
I was taught that "May I ?" was more polite than "Can I have ?", so I use it when ordering in a restaurant for example, or any other place where the service depends on the goodwill and decision of the server. |
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"May I ?
I was taught that "May I ?" was more polite than "Can I have ?", so I use it when ordering in a restaurant for example, or any other place where the service depends on the goodwill and decision of the server."
true however "may I" is sort of old nowadays. |
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"May I ?
I was taught that "May I ?" was more polite than "Can I have ?", so I use it when ordering in a restaurant for example, or any other place where the service depends on the goodwill and decision of the server. true however "may I" is sort of old nowadays."
I don't agree with that assessment.
"May I ?" and "Can I?" are not interchangeable, and neither should be used synonymously.
.
It does depend on context of course, but in essence "May I ?" is when you seek permission (usually to receive a thing, though not always), and "Can I ?" is when you seek inclusion to an event, for example. It can also be used when you doubt your ability.
May I have a glass of water ?
May I change the channel on the TV ?
Can I come to your party ?
Can I try and have a go at that thing ?
.
Can I "have" that thing however is not really correct, though folks do use it.
.
So I would say whilst "May I?" may be out of fashion, that's more through grammatical and educative dysfunction than anything else. |
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