May 19, 2009 13:19
15 yrs ago
English term
Nuâncias entre "may", "might" e "can"
Non-PRO
English to Portuguese
Other
Linguistics
English
Gostaria de deixar esta questão que caiu na prova objetiva de um concurso que prestei neste domingo:
In the phrase “slight adjustments to related definitions may be required.”
(lines 29-30), the fragment “may be required” can be
substituted by
(A) might occasionally be necessary.
(B) should be considered relevant.
(C) will definitely be demanded.
(D) have to be considered.
(E) can be requested.
Apesar do gabarito oficial da prova dizer que a resposta correta é a (E), minha escolha foi a resposta (A). Estou seriamente inclinado a contestar esta questão por ser ambígua. Na prática, qualquer uma das duas pode ser usada. Além disso, existe uma pequena diferença nos significados de "required" e "requested" -- que no meu entendimento são melhor traduzidos como "necessário" e "solicitado".
Poderiam deixar suas opiniões a respeito? Obrigado!
In the phrase “slight adjustments to related definitions may be required.”
(lines 29-30), the fragment “may be required” can be
substituted by
(A) might occasionally be necessary.
(B) should be considered relevant.
(C) will definitely be demanded.
(D) have to be considered.
(E) can be requested.
Apesar do gabarito oficial da prova dizer que a resposta correta é a (E), minha escolha foi a resposta (A). Estou seriamente inclinado a contestar esta questão por ser ambígua. Na prática, qualquer uma das duas pode ser usada. Além disso, existe uma pequena diferença nos significados de "required" e "requested" -- que no meu entendimento são melhor traduzidos como "necessário" e "solicitado".
Poderiam deixar suas opiniões a respeito? Obrigado!
Proposed translations
(Portuguese)
5 | acho que você está certo |
Clauwolf
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5 | A is the right answer |
Ysabel812
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Proposed translations
8 mins
Selected
acho que você está certo
:) E "required" nada tem a ver com "requested"
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
11 mins
A is the right answer
(I used to teach these modal verbs all the time before becoming a translator). A is definitely the best answer (although I wouldn't have put "occasionally"), while E is incorrect. Another example: "Some assembly may be required" on a furniture box. I don't think you can request that the store do the assembly. It is possible that *you* will have to do the assembly.
I don't believe that "might occasionally" is a good answer, as "may" already indicates a stronger probability than "might," and "might occasionally" even less. When your furniture box says "some assembly may be required," you're pretty sure you'll have to do some assembly.
Hope this helps! Definitely contest the official answer.
In the phrase “slight adjustments to related definitions may be required.”
(lines 29-30), the fragment “may be required” can be
substituted by
(A) might occasionally be necessary.
(B) should be considered relevant.
(C) will definitely be demanded.
(D) have to be considered.
(E) can be requested.
Apesar do gabarito oficial da prova dizer que a resposta correta é a (E), minha escolha foi a resposta (A). Estou seriamente inclinado a conte
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Note added at 28 mins (2009-05-19 13:47:59 GMT)
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This is a good illustration of why I don't like multiple choice exams...however, I've seen worse, and I have no doubt that you are right in going with "A" as the best of a bad lot. Why don't you put this question in the English-to-English language pair so you can get more feedback from native speakers?
I don't believe that "might occasionally" is a good answer, as "may" already indicates a stronger probability than "might," and "might occasionally" even less. When your furniture box says "some assembly may be required," you're pretty sure you'll have to do some assembly.
Hope this helps! Definitely contest the official answer.
In the phrase “slight adjustments to related definitions may be required.”
(lines 29-30), the fragment “may be required” can be
substituted by
(A) might occasionally be necessary.
(B) should be considered relevant.
(C) will definitely be demanded.
(D) have to be considered.
(E) can be requested.
Apesar do gabarito oficial da prova dizer que a resposta correta é a (E), minha escolha foi a resposta (A). Estou seriamente inclinado a conte
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 28 mins (2009-05-19 13:47:59 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This is a good illustration of why I don't like multiple choice exams...however, I've seen worse, and I have no doubt that you are right in going with "A" as the best of a bad lot. Why don't you put this question in the English-to-English language pair so you can get more feedback from native speakers?
Note from asker:
Out of the differences among "may", "might" and "can", either one seems to be slightly innapropriate on answers (A) and (E)... but I am certainly inclined to (A) because of the difference between "required" e "requested". |
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