English Grammar 101
Online
Version 6.0
English Grammar 101 Home
Foreword: To the Student and Parent/Teacher
Introduction: To Those Grammarians Among Us
Instructions: How to Complete the Lessons
Module 1: Word and Phrase Patterns
Module 2: Clause Patterns
Module 3: Verb Tense and Verbal Patterns
Module 4: Verb Forms and Sentence Patterns
Module 5: Punctuation and Capitalization
Module 6: Supplement - Troublesome Words
Lesson 6-1: Accept versus Except
Lesson 6-2: Affect versus Effect
Lesson 6-3: Advice versus Advise
Lesson 6-4: All Ready versus Already
Lesson 6-5: All-round versus All Around
Lesson 6-6: All Together versus Altogether
Lesson 6-7: All Ways versus Always
Lesson 6-8: Allay versus Alley, Ally
Lesson 6-9: Allude versus Elude
Lesson 6-10: Allusion versus Illusion
Quiz 6-11: Cumulative Review
Lesson 6-12: Alternate versus Alternative
Lesson 6-13: Among, Amongst versus Between
Lesson 6-14: Apprehend versus Comprehend
Lesson 6-15: Award versus Reward
Lesson 6-16: Bad versus Badly
Lesson 6-17: Can versus May
Lesson 6-18: Born versus Borne
Lesson 6-19: Breath versus Breathe
Lesson 6-20: Bring, Carry, Fetch versus Take
Lesson 6-21: Anger, Angry versus Mad
Lesson 6-22: Censor versus censure
Lesson 6-23: Complement versus compliment
Quiz 6-24: Cumulative Review
Lesson 6-25: Council versus Counsel
Lesson 6-26: Continual, Continuous versus Consecutive
Lesson 6-27: Emigrate versus Immigrate
Lesson 6-28: Farther versus Further
Lesson 6-29: Its versus It's, 'Tis
Lesson 6-30: Lie, Lying, Lay, Lain versus Lie, Lying, Lied, Lied
Lesson 6-31: Lie, Lying, Lay, Lain versus Lay, Laying, Laid, Laid
Lesson 6-32: Notable versus Notorious, Notoriety
Lesson 6-33: Persecute versus Prosecute
Quiz 6-34: Cumulative Review
Lesson 6-35: Principal versus Principle
Lesson 6-36: Set versus Sit
Lesson 6-37: Stationary versus Stationery
Lesson 6-38: Their versus There, They're
Lesson 6-39: Whether versus Weather
Lesson 6-40: You and I versus You and Me
Lesson 6-41: To versus Too, Two
Lesson 6-42: Sight versus Site, Cite
Lesson 6-43: Capital versus Capitol
Quiz 6-44: Cumulative Review
Exercise 6-45: Module 6 Self-Test
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English Grammar
C
an versus May
Lesson 6-17
Comments:
Prompt:
In formal speech and writing, "can" implies ability to do. Example: I can throw a ball. "May" implies a need for permission. Example: May I throw a ball? In informal speech and writing, "can" is now acceptable in the sense of "may." Example: Can I leave now? At the formal level, the distinction between can and may is still observed.
Directions:
Click to select the correct word usage in the following sentences. All answers in this exercise are based on the formal use of can and may.
1.
(
Can
) (
May
)
I
go
to
the
dance
?
2.
I
(
may
) (
can
)
ride
a
bike
.
3.
Your
parents
said
, "
You
(
may
) (
can
)
go
to
the
dance
."
4.
When
I
have
the
ability
and
desire
to
accomplish
something
,
I
(
may
) (
can
)
do
it
.
5.
I
(
may
) (
can
)
juggle
three
items
as
once
.
6.
Bob
, (
may
) (
can
)
you
go
to
the
dance
?
7.
You
(
may
) (
can
)
climb
that
tree
if
you
can
.
8.
Bill
,
you
(
may
) (
can
)
use
the
car
tonight
.
9.
(
May
) (
Can
)
I
leave
the
room
?
10.
I
(
may
) (
can
)
do
as
I
please
.
11.
I
am
not
sure
,
but
you
(
may
) (
can
)
be
right
!
12.
You
(
may
) (
can
)
play
if
you
know
how
to
play
.
13.
(
May
) (
Can
)
you
accomplish
that
task
?
14.
My
parents
said
that
I
(
may
) (
can
)
go
on
the
trip
.
15.
Since
I
have
the
money
for
the
trip
,
I
(
may
) (
can
)
go
.
16.
I
(
may
) (
can
)
ride
a
horse
.
17.
You
(
may
) (
can
)
attend
if
you
have
your
parents
'
permission
.
18.
Having
the
ability
to
do
a
task
means
I
(
may
) (
can
)
do
that
task
.
19.
Needing
permission
to
do
a
task
means
I
(
may
) (
can
)
do
that
task
.
20.
You
(
may
) (
can
)
put
down
your
pencils
.