676. David Crystal: Let's Talk - How English Conversation Works
Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson
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Can I Pay by Card?
David Crystal asks his brother what he thinks about people asking for permission to pay by card. Can is famous for its two meanings, can in the sense of being able to and can in thesense of permission. He says it's a classic ambiguity in modal auxiliaries. The only way out of this is to avoid the auxiliary altogether. David Crystal: If you find something irritating, you will avoid it.
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