[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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