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| 1.2. The permission ( objective meaning) Since this means the permission, the person is usually used for the subject. "May" has the same meaning but it is formal. "Can" is preferred in spoken as this meaning. These are also explained in the section 2. See the following examples. (10) a. You can stay here as long as you like. (If you want to stay here, you can do.) b. You can't smoke here. c. Can I borrow your pen? The interrogative sentence with the first person like (10c) can express the request and the suggestion. See the following example. (11) Can I get you something to drink? ( If you drink, I prepare it. ) To express the request, the second person is often used. See the following examples. (12) a. Can you get me a taxi, please? (I want you to get it.) b. Can you pass me the salt, please? The past tense "could" which means the permission is explained in the next subsection. |
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