——May I watch TV after supper? ——No, ____. Which answer is wrong? A. you mustn't B. you may not C. you'd better not D. you needn't 我认为选项 A、B、C、D 都是错误的。
回答含 may 的疑问句通常有两种对应的形式: may not 和 mustn't, 只是后者比前者的否定语气更重。因此，上题的选项 A、B、C 都应当看作是正确的，只有选项 D 是错误的。让我们用实例来证明这一点：
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'May we leave now, Miss Black?' 'No, you may not. You haven't finished your work yet.' (Leech) "布莱克小姐，我们可以走了吗?"“不行。你们还没有完成工作呢。”
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“May I smoke here?” “No, you mustn’t.” “我可以在这里吸烟吗?” “不行。”
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“I may leave now, mayn’t I?” “Yes, you may. [No, you may not.]” (ALD) “我现在可以走了吗?” “是的，你可以。[不，你不可以。]”
PEG(第四版, p.130) 明确指出:
“对 may I/might I 的肯定回答通常是：
Yes, you may. Yes, of course (you may).
请注意:否定的回答虽然可以用 No, you may not. 或 No, you mustn't. 但是这种口气比较强硬,所以常常用比较温和的、比较有礼貌的表达方式来代替:I am sorry. I'd rather you didn't. I'm afraid not.
由此看来,选项 C（you'd better not）也是正确的。
请做下面的英语试题：
- "May I pick a flower in the garden?" "____."
A. No, you needn't B. Not, please C. No, you mustn't D. No, you won't (全国高考)
A. No, I don't mind B. Yes, you do it C. Yes, my pleasure D. I'm afraid not
- “May I stop work a little earlier tonight?” “No, you ____.” A. needn't B. mustn't C. won't D. shouldn't