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You should look at Max'x hints and learn how to
"Delete this Post"
But Dr. Bill, then I may never have a chance to tell him he stutt--ttt--ers again!
Dear Angel: CK's expertise is such that I don't get many chances to needle him. Posting two long identical messages and leaving both just is not his style. I may have spoiled your fun, but I might never get another chance.
I may have spoiled your fun, but I might never get another chance.
That was great, Dr. Bill!
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Soojin, it's nice to see you back here. In your example, (A) I might have arrived at work on time if I hadnĄŻt got caught in a traffic jam.
(B) You may arrive at work on time if you leave home early enough.
(C) I couldnĄŻt have arrived at work on time because I had got caught in a traffic jam.
(D) You can arrive at work on time if you leave home early enough, though IĄŻm not sure.,
A and C are essentially alike, yes, but--C is not necessariily a true statement, as it is written. For ex., if the traffic jam only lasted a short time. We would say "I didn't arrive at work on time because of the traffic jam". We would only say couldn't have arrived at work on time if there was some incontrovertible fact proving that we were prevented from being there on time, such as every access street being flooded.
B & D are also essentially the same, but again, we wouldn't use the wording as it is in D. We might say, "You can arrive at work on time if you leave home early enough" in certain circumstances (such as a lecture to young adults about to embark on careers). But substituting 'should' for 'can' in your sentence gives a more accurate meaning.
OP Dear Jackie.
Thank you very much.
Hi soojin ~
I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I confine my use of "may" and "might" to distinct meanings (and, I must add, similarly regarding the third of this triad, "can"):
can - has the ability to
may - has permission to
might - the possibility of
As to the phrase it may/might be a good idea, I believe that the meaning intended is it is possibly a good idea, and thus I would use "might."
So ~
I can go = I am capable of going
I may go = I have permission to go
I might go = it is possible (but not sure) that I will go
OP Dear Sparteye,
Thank you very much.
I am very happy.
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