Verbs

“Can” vs. “May”

Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Foreign Languages, Verbs, Versus

One word is often misused for the other.

Problem:
The auxiliary verbs “can” and “may” are not synonyms, at least not in their primary definitions.

Explanation:
The primary definition of the auxiliary verb “can” is to be able to. For example, He can dislocate his own shoulders. would be an appropriate use of this auxiliary verb. The primary definition of the auxiliary verb “may” is to be allowed or permitted to. For example, May I have another piece of cake? Yes, you may. would represent appropriate uses of this auxiliary verb.

Unfortunately, many use “can” when they should use “may”. I believe that the use of “can” instead of “may” when the latter is appropriate represents

  • a laziness that favors easier-to-pronounce words,
  • a foreign-language influence, and
  • an aversion by Americans to ask for permission.

The word “can” is easier than the word “may” to say. “Can” is spoken with an open mouth and comes out of the mouth quickly. It also begins with a hard consonant, which is easier than a soft consonant to vocalize. “May” requires the speaker to begin with a closed mouth and a soft biting of the lips, so it starts with a soft consonant and ends with a vowel sound. “May” must be vocalized longer than “can” to be understood. Try to say “may” quickly; it will confuse many listeners.

Also, consider the influence on American English today of a relatively large population of native-Spanish speakers. The Spanish auxiliary verb “poder” truly means both “can” and “may”; Puedo usar el baño. means both I can use the bathroom. and I may use the bathroom.

As more native-Spanish speakers in the U.S. learn English, they will tend to use “can” instead of “may” because “can” is more easily pronounced and because “can” and “may” are interchangeable in their native language.

Finally — here comes the psychological mumbo-jumbo part — I believe that Americans in general (including me) have an aversion to asking for permission.

So we prefer “Can I have another piece of candy?” to “May I have another piece of candy?” because semi-consciously or unconsciously we believe that we’re not asking for permission by using “can” instead of “may”.

Solution:
Use “can” when you want to refer to ability, not permission; use “may” when you want to refer to permission.

“Elicit” vs. “Illicit”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Verbs, Versus

Misuse of these two words is rare, but they’re worth a second look.

Problem:
The words “elicit” and “illicit” are not synonyms.

Explanation:
The primary definition of the verb “elicit” is to evoke or draw out. For example, elicited a response with a huge lie would be an appropriate use of the verb. The popular definition of the adjective “illicit” is disapproved for moral reasons. For example, an illicit association with her student would be an appropriate use of the adjective.

The challenge with these two words is that they sound fairly alike, especially when speakers are careless with pronunciation. Careless pronunciation by speakers seems to lead to misuse by those listeners who are ignorant that these are two distinct words.

Solution:
Use “elicit” when you want to refer to evoking or drawing out; use “illicit” when you want to label something as immoral or unlawful.

“Can Hillary be beat?”

Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Passive Voice, Verbs

I heard this while listening to a radio talk-show’s discussion of the former first lady’s race for the 2008 U.S. presidency.

Problem:
The verb “beat” is incorrect here.

Explanation:
The question is written in abbreviated passive voice, albeit incorrectly. The subject of the sentence (Hillary) is acted on by the verb, and we do not know who potentially is beating her. A question in active voice must identify the person who potentially will beat Hillary.

“Can Joe beat Hillary?” is an example of a question in active voice. We get “Can Hillary be beaten by Joe?” when we rearrange the question to put it into passive voice. Abbreviating this question, we correctly get “Can Hillary be beaten?” in abbreviated passive voice.

In other words, “beaten” — not “beat” — is the passive form of the verb “to beat”.

I believe that the use of “beat” instead of “beaten” when the latter is appropriate represents

  • ignorance about passive voice, and
  • a laziness that favors shorter, fewer-syllable words over longer words.

The one-syllable “beat” is easier than the two-syllable “beaten” to say. Throw in a common lack of understanding how sentences in the active voice are converted to sentences in the passive voice or abbreviated passive voice, and it’s no wonder that many English speakers choose “beat” (incorrectly) instead of “beaten” in a question posed in the passive voice or abbreviated passive voice.

Solution:
“Can Hillary be beaten?”