[thelist] Site Review - http://wizardev.ca/
Stephen Rider
evolt_org at striderweb.com
Thu Jun 2 09:02:12 CDT 2005
On Jun 1, 2005, at 4:36 PM, Kasimir K wrote:
> On Privacy Policy page:
> - and to my ear "may" indicates some uncertainty, as if you may
> respond if you feel like it - I'd write "so that I can
> respond" (this goes for the contact page too)
This is an subtle point of English, but in fact "may" is correct
here. "Can" would also be grammatically correct, but "may" is the
more polite of the two. With "may" you are essentially asking
permission to do something, with "can" you are discussing the
physical ability to do so.
It's the same difference between "May I help you?" and "Can I help
you?" It's entirely possible that you _can_ help them, but that they
don't want help. "May I" recognizes this, while "Can I" does not.
On this topic, my dictionary says: "the distinction is largely a
matter of manners, and sometimes of authority."
On you site, put a between the words of "Site Map".
Very nice site, BTW.
Steve
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