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Subject:Re: Using the word "may" From:Chris Kowalchuk <chris -at- bdk -dot- net> To:Mr Smith <techwritermw -at- altavista -dot- com> Date:Wed, 26 Jan 2000 15:45:39 -0500
Well, at least don't say "or may not." "May" only ever expresses
possibility or permission, so the "or may not" part is implicit.
If you want your sentence to be very clear (but possibly more wordy),
then separate out the conditions:
"If thing one happens, then result one will happen.
If thing two happens, then result two will happen instead."
