Re: Can vs. May vs. Might

Subject: Re: Can vs. May vs. Might
From: Barry Kieffer <barry -dot- kieffer -at- EXGATE -dot- TEK -dot- COM>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 15:08:10 -0800

Karen has the winning answer.

> My department's style guide lists:
> Can is a verb that indicates the ability to do something.
>
> May is a verb that indicates permission to do something.
>
> Might is a verb that indicates the possibility of doing something.
>
> Karen
> Oakland, CA
>
If you have a style guide, follow it.

It is far better to be consistent in your usage, then worry about how the
verbs "can/may/might" can, may, or might confuse your reader.


Barry
In rainy Portland, OR

From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=




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