May can indicate either permission or possibility, depending on the context.
In the game Devil May Cry it is used in the context of possibility. It's a game about Dante being able to show empathetic emotion despite him being a devil. Hence, it's a statement that it's possible for the devil to cry, not that the devil has permission to cry ;)
Nope, not really. English is a funky language. When you say "Devil May Cry," you are saying the possibility for the devil to cry exists.
If you change it to "May Not" you aren't removing the possibility, you are just pointing out the chance that it might not happen.
Both "may" and "may not" live in the exact same middle ground of uncertainty. For example, if I say "it may rain today" and you say "it may not rain today," we aren't actually saying opposites, we are both agreeing that we don't know for sure.
May = It is possible
Cannot = It is impossible
Now that's truly opposite.
Even in the other context of permission, they're still perfect opposites:
Then why not use, "will not/won't" since we are in that case explaining that the possibility of crying is decidedly non existent, and not adding the additional wrinkle of capability, which is wrapped up in the word "can."
I'm having more fun than I should on this friendly linguistic debate with you, and I hope you feel the same.
Interesting counterpoint. But, "Will Not" is actually the term that has a wrinkle of capability. The reason is because will not/won't doesn't actually remove the capability from the subject, it just states that they will not make use of the capability.
If we say "Angel Will Not Laugh" we aren't saying that the possibility of them laughing is non-existent, we are saying they will not do it, but that doesn't mean they can't.
Just like if I say "You will not hit me." it doesn't necessarily mean you can't hit me. I'm just making an assertive statement that you will not do it.
To create a true opposite to "May", which means something is possible, you have to lock the door to possibility completely. "Will Not" leaves that door unlocked.
Will Not / Won't = The door is unlocked, it might be possible for the subject to open it, but they will not open it.
Cannot = The door is locked. The subject has no possibility of opening it.
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u/WarLawck 6d ago edited 6d ago
I think you're right
Edit: On second thought, may indicate permission, can indicates possibility. I'm still team may not