"You can if you are able," I replied. I swear when will my child learn the difference between can and may? It seems I have to repeat it often.
"Did you just roll your eyes?"
"No." Long pause. "Mother, May I go to the mall"?
"You better go ask your dad."
"Hey dad," I heard William talking to his father in the other room. "Can I go to the mall?"
I rolled my eyes. Apparently, proper grammer is not high on the list for a 16 year old boy but going to the mall is.
linking to Jenny Matlock
15 comments:
If you saw the film "Avalon" I'm sure you remember the "can and may" scene. As an English major in college, proper grammar and spelling is very important to me. There has been a great "dumbing down" of the English language in recent years. We see it in the newspapers, and t.v. ads, and hear it on the radio.
Thanks for a timely Saturday Centus!! Good work!
That's cute. I especially like the eye rolling.
It's true and highly annoying, though I probably misuse "can" a lot myself.
Good centus!
LOL Becky !
That was excellent and so familiar. I am still the family dictionary, proof reader and speller to this day, although now I embrace that title. Nothing irks me more than the can vs may issue and college graduates who cannot spell worth more than a handful of beans !
Brilliant! What an excellent post!
You may like to have a go at this one!Still 100 words.http://www.theheadsoffice.co.uk/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week9/
:-) A good use of the prompt. (I loved the eye rolling too.)
I identify with this completely :-)
hahahaha. Oh how many times was I told can and may. Great, great job.
I used to tell my son all the time I don't know CAN you. Then he would get it LOL. Brought back memories. Good job.
oh I wish I had thought of that! okay, I truly enjoyed your entry ... great use of the prompt!
My mother always used to say that to me, "You can if you are able." It worked, by the way! I've got it down, pat!!
;)
My mother always used to say "I don't know Can You??~Ames
My mother used to say that too, and then I said it to my children. Now I'm saying it to my grandchildren! Good take on the prompt. laurie
True...!!
shreds
Every time my kids ask "Can I...?" I respond with, I don't know, can you? They stop, sigh, and say "May I?"
Then and than. Can and may. Lay and lie.
They all make my tired.
I try to avoid them in all sentences when I can. Or would that be when I may?
Cute post!
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