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Usuário excluído
17 mar 2020

Pergunta sobre Inglês (EUA)

Qual é a diferença entre You may not bring it e You could not bring it ?Você pode indicar exemplo de resposta.

I think you may not bring it is the polite way to say it but you could not bring it is the polite way to say it as well?
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Pinely
17 mar 2020

  • Inglês (EUA)

I think you mean, "you can not bring it," not "could not."

If you say, "you could not bring the bag," it means that they were unable to bring the bag. Maybe they forgot it, or maybe the bag was too big or heavy.

A: "You could not bring the bag?"
B: "No, it was too heavy!"

If you say, "you can not/may not bring the bag," it means you do not want them to bring the bag.

A: "Can/could/may I bring my bag?"
B: "You may/can not."

"May not" is more formal and polite than "can not," but no one will think you are rude if you say, "can not."

Hope this helps! :)

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Usuário excluído
17 mar 2020

@Pinely Thank you! I heard that may and could are the polite way to give permission. Then, may not and could not have the same meaning when you don't give permission?

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Pinely
17 mar 2020

  • Inglês (EUA)

@imellen Yes, they have the same meaning. "Not" makes it negative.

"You could bring your bag." (future tense of "can"; possibility)
"You can bring your bag." (present tense)
"You may bring your bag." (present tense; slightly more polite than "can")

"You could not bring your bag." (past tense of "can")
"You can not bring your bag." (present tense)
"You may not bring your bag." (present tense; slightly more polite than "can")


Even though "can" can be used to ask permission, sometimes English teachers do not like this. "Can" means "able to do."

So, in high school, I would ask, "can I go to the bathroom?"
The teacher would respond, "I don't know, CAN you?" I would correct myself by asking, "MAY I go to the bathroom?"

Hope this helps! :)

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