English Language Learners Asked by BigSilver on January 4, 2022
‘Young patients may learn which diseases they could get when they are older.’
In the above sentence, How much possibility does ‘may’ mean?
Without more context it is hard to say. Strictly speaking "may" does not imply any probability other than the possibility, but that is not always the case. For example the sentence
You may leave your umbrella by the door
Is a polite way of saying "Do leave your umbrella by the door."
In other contexts "may" may be used instead of "will" or may mean there is an expectation. For example, a brochure for a summer camp may read
Young campers may explore the great outdoors...
Which brings me back to your sentence. It could mean that young patients happen upon potential future disease or it could mean that patients are placed in a situation where the expectation is that they will learn of potential future diseases. Placing your sentence in more context as an example:
The support group offers advice and guidance where young patients may learn what diseases they could get as they get older.
Like with the camp example, something is offered with the expectation that the offer will be accepted.
Answered by SteveC on January 4, 2022
According to Webster's 4th ed:
"Possibility - the quality or condition of being possible"
"Possible - that can be; capable of existing"
This is an on or off word. Something is either possible or not. "May" connotes that it is possible, but conveys nothing of "will" or "likely-hood" or "probability" - which was probably the word you are looking for in "How much possibility..."
"May" in this context conveys that it is possible or that they will have the option if they so choose, or should circumstances align in a way that they do.
Replacing "may" with "shall" or "will" implies 100% probability that this will occur. To say "will likely" instead actually implies a probability somewhere greater than 50%, or to say "will not likely" somewhere less than 50%.
In short: "may" does not imply any probability, but declares it is possible. Additionally, possibility has no metrics other than on or off, yes or no.
Answered by wolfsshield on January 4, 2022
0 Asked on January 22, 2021
1 Asked on January 21, 2021 by send-it-dingy-charva
1 Asked on January 21, 2021 by zenith3
1 Asked on January 21, 2021 by atika
5 Asked on January 21, 2021 by opal
2 Asked on January 20, 2021 by dasik
1 Asked on January 20, 2021
1 Asked on January 19, 2021 by kumar-sadhu
1 Asked on January 17, 2021 by kaylee
2 Asked on January 17, 2021
0 Asked on January 16, 2021
2 Asked on January 13, 2021 by danny_kim
1 Asked on January 12, 2021 by sandip-kumar-mandal
Get help from others!
Recent Answers
Recent Questions
© 2023 AnswerBun.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP