Jamiec  +  123869 Thu, 04 Aug 05 02:27 PM I want to say " you cannot hit her under any circumstances ". What is the correct way of saying this using "by no means" (1) You cannot hit her by no means (2) By no means you can hit her (3) Or please correct my english and show me the right way of usig "by no means" Thanks Jamiec Joined on Thu, Aug 4 2005 New Member 08

	davkett  +  123886 Thu, 04 Aug 05 03:29 PM 'By no means can you hit her.' 'You can, by no means, hit her.' Probably, since 'can' really suggests 'ability' more than 'permission', you should more properly say: 'By no means may you hit her', or, 'You may, by no means, hit her'. The other way:  'You may not hit her by any means.' davkett Joined on Tue, Jun 7 2005 Pennsylvania, USA Senior Member 2,788 "The rose stays fresh in its name..." -Bernard of Morlay

	pieanne  +  123918 Thu, 04 Aug 05 05:50 PM "By no means" already contains the negation (no = not any). Hence you can't use the verb in the negative form, since - + - > +   pieanne Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005 South of France ...But I'm Belgian! Veteran Member 7,517 I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos... Verbs, Negatives

	Jamiec  +  123974 Thu, 04 Aug 05 08:50 PM Many thanks. You just brought me another questions I have already in my mind. What is the subtle difference among can, could, may and might. 1. Can you pass me the plate? 2. Could you pass me the plate? 3. May I know your name? 4. Can I know your name? 5. I may come by around 5 PM. 6. I might come by around 5 PM. 7. Well, I could come by around 5 PM. 8. I can come by around 5 PM. Sorry to list so many, I will appreciate if you can help me to differentiate the usage or impression behind each usage. Thanks again Jamiec

	Aheloin  +  124013 Thu, 04 Aug 05 11:47 PM A teacher taught us recently that some of these forms you mentioned are used often when you want to address someone in a polite way.  May, and could are polite forms used often in formal letters. "Can" is more informal, used in everydays speaking; with friends or people you know from work or something like that.  Might is used in both ways, I've seen it.  so.  I hope I helped in something.  This is a fact.  I'm currently studying the english language and this information is recent. Aheloin Joined on Wed, Aug 3 2005 Panamá New Member 02 Formal Letters

	davkett  +  124041 Fri, 05 Aug 05 02:58 AM As I wrote above, can  implies 'ability', and may, 'permission'. But common usage makes no such clearcut distinctions.  In many cicumstances, such as the ones you listed, these are interchangeable words.. davkett