Is the sentence “Could I smoke here?" ungrammatical?
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The correct sentence is "Can I smoke here?", but I wonder why I can't use "could" in this question.
word-choice grammaticality conditional-constructions questions
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
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asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
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up vote
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The correct sentence is "Can I smoke here?", but I wonder why I can't use "could" in this question.
word-choice grammaticality conditional-constructions questions
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
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Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Actually, the correct sentence is "May I smoke here?" One presumes the person asking the question is capable of smoking, and is using "can" to mean "is allowed".
– Monty Harder
Oct 1 at 20:48
1
"Sure, if set on fire" came the answer.. +1 To Monty's comment, by the way - " 'can' suggests ability, 'may' suggests permission". If could is the equivalent of can (to you), you might still not be allowed to smoke there even if you had the ability (I.e. you were currently or had recently been on fire)
– Caius Jard
Oct 2 at 8:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
The correct sentence is "Can I smoke here?", but I wonder why I can't use "could" in this question.
word-choice grammaticality conditional-constructions questions
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
New contributor
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The correct sentence is "Can I smoke here?", but I wonder why I can't use "could" in this question.
word-choice grammaticality conditional-constructions questions
word-choice grammaticality conditional-constructions questions
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
New contributor
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
New contributor
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
edited Oct 1 at 15:58
Nathan Tuggy
8,92193452
8,92193452
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
New contributor
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
asked Oct 1 at 15:21
Joy
312
312
New contributor
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
Actually, the correct sentence is "May I smoke here?" One presumes the person asking the question is capable of smoking, and is using "can" to mean "is allowed".
– Monty Harder
Oct 1 at 20:48
1
"Sure, if set on fire" came the answer.. +1 To Monty's comment, by the way - " 'can' suggests ability, 'may' suggests permission". If could is the equivalent of can (to you), you might still not be allowed to smoke there even if you had the ability (I.e. you were currently or had recently been on fire)
– Caius Jard
Oct 2 at 8:11
add a comment |Â
3
Actually, the correct sentence is "May I smoke here?" One presumes the person asking the question is capable of smoking, and is using "can" to mean "is allowed".
– Monty Harder
Oct 1 at 20:48
1
"Sure, if set on fire" came the answer.. +1 To Monty's comment, by the way - " 'can' suggests ability, 'may' suggests permission". If could is the equivalent of can (to you), you might still not be allowed to smoke there even if you had the ability (I.e. you were currently or had recently been on fire)
– Caius Jard
Oct 2 at 8:11
3
3
Actually, the correct sentence is "May I smoke here?" One presumes the person asking the question is capable of smoking, and is using "can" to mean "is allowed".
– Monty Harder
Oct 1 at 20:48
Actually, the correct sentence is "May I smoke here?" One presumes the person asking the question is capable of smoking, and is using "can" to mean "is allowed".
– Monty Harder
Oct 1 at 20:48
1
1
"Sure, if set on fire" came the answer.. +1 To Monty's comment, by the way - " 'can' suggests ability, 'may' suggests permission". If could is the equivalent of can (to you), you might still not be allowed to smoke there even if you had the ability (I.e. you were currently or had recently been on fire)
– Caius Jard
Oct 2 at 8:11
"Sure, if set on fire" came the answer.. +1 To Monty's comment, by the way - " 'can' suggests ability, 'may' suggests permission". If could is the equivalent of can (to you), you might still not be allowed to smoke there even if you had the ability (I.e. you were currently or had recently been on fire)
– Caius Jard
Oct 2 at 8:11
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
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up vote
11
down vote
Actually I think it's more what is idiomatic than what is grammatical. There is nothing wrong with, "Could I smoke here?" but it doesn't mean the same thing as, "Can I smoke here?"
"Could", in this context, is often a conditional. It implies you're asking if it's possible to do something, if some other condition is met. For example:
I know you don't like people smoking in your car, but it's been hours since my last cigarette. If I rolled down the window, could I smoke?
More on the differences between "could" and "can".
(Edit) as FumbleFingers points out, the actual conditional requirement can be unstated, or even something as basic as "... if I want to". "Could" merely implies that there is some conditional involved.
(Edit2) Muzer and others point out that could is often used as a slightly more deferential way to say can, in which case, "Could I smoke?" is perfectly natural. "May I smoke?" may be more common, though.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
2
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
2
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
2
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
8
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
4
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
Could I smoke here?
adds some unknown condition, for example you don't actually have any cigarettes, or a lighter, or it is raining hard, or you don't have time to smoke.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
1
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
11
down vote
Actually I think it's more what is idiomatic than what is grammatical. There is nothing wrong with, "Could I smoke here?" but it doesn't mean the same thing as, "Can I smoke here?"
"Could", in this context, is often a conditional. It implies you're asking if it's possible to do something, if some other condition is met. For example:
I know you don't like people smoking in your car, but it's been hours since my last cigarette. If I rolled down the window, could I smoke?
More on the differences between "could" and "can".
(Edit) as FumbleFingers points out, the actual conditional requirement can be unstated, or even something as basic as "... if I want to". "Could" merely implies that there is some conditional involved.
(Edit2) Muzer and others point out that could is often used as a slightly more deferential way to say can, in which case, "Could I smoke?" is perfectly natural. "May I smoke?" may be more common, though.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
2
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
2
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
2
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
8
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
4
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
Actually I think it's more what is idiomatic than what is grammatical. There is nothing wrong with, "Could I smoke here?" but it doesn't mean the same thing as, "Can I smoke here?"
"Could", in this context, is often a conditional. It implies you're asking if it's possible to do something, if some other condition is met. For example:
I know you don't like people smoking in your car, but it's been hours since my last cigarette. If I rolled down the window, could I smoke?
More on the differences between "could" and "can".
(Edit) as FumbleFingers points out, the actual conditional requirement can be unstated, or even something as basic as "... if I want to". "Could" merely implies that there is some conditional involved.
(Edit2) Muzer and others point out that could is often used as a slightly more deferential way to say can, in which case, "Could I smoke?" is perfectly natural. "May I smoke?" may be more common, though.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
2
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
2
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
2
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
8
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
4
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
Actually I think it's more what is idiomatic than what is grammatical. There is nothing wrong with, "Could I smoke here?" but it doesn't mean the same thing as, "Can I smoke here?"
"Could", in this context, is often a conditional. It implies you're asking if it's possible to do something, if some other condition is met. For example:
I know you don't like people smoking in your car, but it's been hours since my last cigarette. If I rolled down the window, could I smoke?
More on the differences between "could" and "can".
(Edit) as FumbleFingers points out, the actual conditional requirement can be unstated, or even something as basic as "... if I want to". "Could" merely implies that there is some conditional involved.
(Edit2) Muzer and others point out that could is often used as a slightly more deferential way to say can, in which case, "Could I smoke?" is perfectly natural. "May I smoke?" may be more common, though.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
Actually I think it's more what is idiomatic than what is grammatical. There is nothing wrong with, "Could I smoke here?" but it doesn't mean the same thing as, "Can I smoke here?"
"Could", in this context, is often a conditional. It implies you're asking if it's possible to do something, if some other condition is met. For example:
I know you don't like people smoking in your car, but it's been hours since my last cigarette. If I rolled down the window, could I smoke?
More on the differences between "could" and "can".
(Edit) as FumbleFingers points out, the actual conditional requirement can be unstated, or even something as basic as "... if I want to". "Could" merely implies that there is some conditional involved.
(Edit2) Muzer and others point out that could is often used as a slightly more deferential way to say can, in which case, "Could I smoke?" is perfectly natural. "May I smoke?" may be more common, though.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
edited Oct 1 at 17:52
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Andrew
58k565127
58k565127
2
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
2
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
2
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
8
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
4
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
 |Â
show 8 more comments
2
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
2
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
2
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
8
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
4
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
2
2
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
I think the [required?] "conditional" could be merely implied, not explicitly stated. Which could in principle (in practice, so far as I'm concerned) be something as "weak" as [...if I wanted to]. Given here, the circumstances must be pretty "immediate", but you could certainly assume if we went in this cafe if spoken outside the cafe before having definitely agreed to enter.
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:42
2
2
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
...plus of course there's the greater "distance" implied by using could, would instead of can, will, reflecting deferential / hesitant politeness. Hence you might ask Would I be allowed to smoke?* instead of Will I be allowed? (itself already a "distanced irrealis" version of Am I allowed?).
– FumbleFingers
Oct 1 at 15:51
2
2
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
@FumbleFingers or combinations with "may/might", e.g. "I wonder if I might possibly be allowed to smoke here?"
– Andrew
Oct 1 at 16:26
8
8
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
Could is also used in British English as a slightly softer-sounding alternative to can, when asking for permission to do something. I don't think anyone ever thinks about a conditional, implied or otherwise, in these cases.
– Muzer
Oct 1 at 17:31
4
4
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
(American here.) In response to "Can i ...?" questions, it's reasonably common to hear "I don't know, can you?" sorts of responses--when the asker is clearly asking for permission. So, "May i smoke?" feels more correct, at least in American English.
– b w
Oct 1 at 17:48
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
Could I smoke here?
adds some unknown condition, for example you don't actually have any cigarettes, or a lighter, or it is raining hard, or you don't have time to smoke.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
1
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Could I smoke here?
adds some unknown condition, for example you don't actually have any cigarettes, or a lighter, or it is raining hard, or you don't have time to smoke.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
1
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Could I smoke here?
adds some unknown condition, for example you don't actually have any cigarettes, or a lighter, or it is raining hard, or you don't have time to smoke.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
Could I smoke here?
adds some unknown condition, for example you don't actually have any cigarettes, or a lighter, or it is raining hard, or you don't have time to smoke.
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
answered Oct 1 at 15:24
Weather Vane
3,2711417
3,2711417
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
1
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
add a comment |Â
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
1
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
I think Gill is right here. As she explains, in the use #2, either can or could might be used, but could expresses a polite request whereas can is not quite as polite.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:24
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
@LucianSava at which time in that 18 minute YouTube does Gill come to the point? I am a native English speaker with a formal education. I might miss some points of grammar but I don't need lessons. Can you please post that as an answer?
– Weather Vane
Oct 1 at 18:34
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
Sorry for my comment, I didn't mean to offend you. She merely presents a simplified explanation.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 1 at 18:45
1
1
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
@LucianSava a simplified explanation that’s 18 minutes long!?
– Tim
Oct 1 at 21:46
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
Of the point in question @Tim, ie #2 which lasts perhaps 1-2 minutes, in case you didn't notice what are we talking about here.
– Lucian Sava
Oct 2 at 7:30
add a comment |Â
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Joy is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Joy is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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3
Actually, the correct sentence is "May I smoke here?" One presumes the person asking the question is capable of smoking, and is using "can" to mean "is allowed".
– Monty Harder
Oct 1 at 20:48
1
"Sure, if set on fire" came the answer.. +1 To Monty's comment, by the way - " 'can' suggests ability, 'may' suggests permission". If could is the equivalent of can (to you), you might still not be allowed to smoke there even if you had the ability (I.e. you were currently or had recently been on fire)
– Caius Jard
Oct 2 at 8:11