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The problem is, that I fail to unambiguously understand this phrase. There are two ways in which I can understand it (and a number of similar phrases):

  1. I may never be able to do this = It's impossible for me to ever do this ('never' negates 'may')
  2. I may never be able to do this = It's possible that I will never be able to do this. ('never' negates 'be able')

Which is the correct one?

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  • What exactly is the difference between these two meanings? I don't understand your explanation of the difference.
    – Peter Shor
    Commented Jan 20, 2016 at 16:21
  • @PeterShor It's possible that I will never be able to do this vs. It's impossible for me to ever do this. Maybe this time I am more clear. Question edited.
    – gaazkam
    Commented Jan 20, 2016 at 16:25
  • It's ambiguous. It may be used to mean it's "unlikely" that I'll win an Olympic gold medal, it may be used with a sense that it's "nearly impossible" for me to win an Olympic gold medal, it may be used with a sense implying that there's only a slight chance that I won't be standing on the winner's platform. Note that the two extremes are often used in a jocular sense.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Jan 20, 2016 at 23:50

4 Answers 4

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Both are potentially correct, and context is everything.

  1. It hit me really hard when Fluffy passed away. I may never be able to adopt another pet again.

  2. I really need to concentrate on this. If you don't stop breathing down my neck, I may never be able to disarm this bomb!

My first example parallels your first interpretation, and the second example your second interpretation.

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  • I think I know what you mean, thanks. But the fun thing is that to my understanding, your first example parallels my second interpretation, and your second example parallels my first interpretation ;P
    – gaazkam
    Commented Jan 20, 2016 at 16:31
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Modal verbs like "may" are often ambiguous. For exmaple, "may" is ambiguous between an expression of possibility and an expression of permission.

To make matter worse, when a negative like "not" is used with modals, there are scope ambiguities. For example, "You may not run" can mean either:

  • You are allowed to not-run.
  • You are not allowed to run.

It's just a fact of English that these ambiguities exist. Only context can help you adjudicate them.

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The correct way to understand it is with the rest of the context to help in achieving the usage.

"...I may never be able to do this, unless I earn money to pay for piano lessons..."

"...I may never be able to do this because there is simply not enough time left to <>".

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I may never be able to do this

means that it is possible that I will never be able to do this.

If you want to say

It's impossible for me to ever do this

that's what you have to say.

For example, I may never be able to hit a really good topspin backhand lob. But, on the other hand, maybe I will, if I practice enough.

But to say: I may never be able to play at Wimbledon is nonsense. It implies that there is a possibility that I will become good enough to play at Wimbledon. I will never be able to play at Wimbledon, no matter how much I practice.

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  • @TimLymington I am not sure about your edit. If I wangled an invitation from a member of the All England Club, I could play at Wimbleton as a guest. But I could never, never play in the Wimbleton tournament.
    – ab2
    Commented Jan 21, 2016 at 2:42

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