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Can I ... ?

Can I ... ?

Date: Dec 22 2007

Topic: Grammar

Author: Lesmundo2003

Lesson

A common mistake that even English people make is:


"Can I borrow your pen?"

"Can you show me the way to the bus stop?"

"Can I do this, in this way?"


3 Sentences - only 1 is wrong.


Let's see how you get on  :-)

Answers with your reasons please.


Will tell you the correct answer later.

With explanation & 'congrats' to those of you that are right.


Happy Holidays


Comments

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AlNaqbi

AlNaqbi

United Arab Emirates

Hi all …

as i think and my answer will be ( the incorrect sentence is : Can i borrow your pen ? ) BUT unfortunately Lesmundo2003 has been answered.

and why !

you can borrow my pen IF i agree so .. the correct word has to bee is ( MAY ) Not Can.

when you say Can i take this pen ! it's mean the pen is heavy and you want to carry it .. and also in the question .. you can borrow my pen, offcourse becouse it's light … BUT do you have the authority to take it !

so we have to say MAY i borrow your pen ?

07:16 PM Dec 28 2007 |

Lesmundo2003

Spain

Ok – now I'll tell you which sentence is incorrect, but you have to tell me why.

Incorrect = "Can I borrow your pen?"


You tell me why or how this is incorrect.

HINT – the other 2 sentences hold the clue  :-)

04:54 PM Dec 26 2007 |

Paul TAM

Paul TAM

China

i think the last one is wrong ,it shuod be writen like "can i do this by this way ?"it's my opinion.

03:31 AM Dec 25 2007 |

laragirl

Egypt

nice way when is your lesson

07:02 AM Dec 24 2007 |

laragirl

Egypt

i think the last one i wrong..i think best is "can i do this .like this??"

when is your lesson.

07:00 AM Dec 24 2007 |

kremtim

Albania

can I  found a girl  now from europe 

 

06:28 AM Dec 24 2007 |

kremtim

Albania

can I come there with you

06:27 AM Dec 24 2007 |

panjinshi

China

chat with you

05:51 AM Dec 24 2007 |

sarahl

Malaysia

Hi…I'm a new in this chat room..

05:40 AM Dec 24 2007 |

nivesha04

Mali

I guess the third one is wrong. So what is the actuall answer?

03:56 AM Dec 24 2007 |

cheeryjam

Russian Federation

first sentence is wrong…

as I remeber there is difference betwen CAN and MAY..Can means do smth as a physikal action, but may means someone has to get right or autority to do smth….

so May I borrow….I think so…

03:12 AM Dec 24 2007 |

thuynguyen(vatc)

Viet Nam

the third sentence is wrong because i think it should not have comma between this and in. Am i right?

03:11 AM Dec 24 2007 |

kynamic

kynamic

China

1 st is wrong.I think so.If use "may i"or"shall i",the mood is well.

02:56 AM Dec 24 2007 |

harry143

India

the third is wrong

02:54 AM Dec 24 2007 |

Lesmundo2003

Spain

To my number 1 fan – thank you – I do a theatrical bow for you  :)


To those of you who want to take my car – Get real – my car!!! NO WAY.


For 3rd sentence – will set the scene – man in a car, with his driving instructor, asking if he can do the 3-point-turn "in this way" – so therefore asks – "Can I do this, in this way?"


Hope that helps.


No answers yet, but someone has put their finger on it  :)



& yes, we all can have one more chance for love !!! but I think I have my chance already ;-)


12:05 AM Dec 24 2007 |

sky&blue

China

sorry,I have no idea.PLZ tell me.thank you!

12:04 AM Dec 24 2007 |

hamada waly

Egypt

can i have one more chanse for love

09:56 PM Dec 23 2007 |

mpeer28

Israel

"can I do this in this way" is uncorect sentence

the corect one is"IS THIS WAY TO DO THIS IS THE CORECT ONE "tHE WAY OF DOING THIS IS THE MAIN SUBJECT                                                    

 

 

OF R 

09:23 PM Dec 23 2007 |

ahmed77

United Arab Emirates

can i drive your car

 

09:09 PM Dec 23 2007 |

Gallus

Gallus

Ukraine

The first sentence is wrong.Instead of can we should use "may"..I think so

09:02 PM Dec 23 2007 |

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