も

[str8cat]

こんにちは、

My question is about the use of も, the particle, in a sentence, preceded by a verb like in the example below.　What is the purpose of も in this sentence below:

Example #1 - with も
おてあらい　へ　いって　も　いい　です　か？

Example #2 - without も
Why not just:

おてあらい　へ　いって　いい　です　か？

Are not both of these sentences correct?

I read somewhere that when も is proceeded by a verb it indicates there is more than one action set to take place. Is this used this way to show a sort of implied conjunction with GOING to and USING the bathroom or between いく and the be-verb, です？

有り難う。

[jazzbeans]

"May do... Can do... (-te mo ii)

To say that something is allowed, add もいい (mo ii) to the -te form of a verb. This can also be used in past tense to say that something was allowed, and can be used in questions to ask for permission.

The literal meaning is basically "It's okay even if...". It's possible to drop the も (mo), which eliminates the "even" sense. This is generally avoided, particularly in requests, perhaps because it seems rather presumptuous.

* 「寝てもいいです。」 (Nete mo ii desu.) = "You may sleep."
* 「トイレに行ってもいい？」 (TOIRE ni itte mo ii?) = "Can I go to the bathroom?""
(http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/ho ... _vaux.html)

One is more formal than the other. I'm sorry, I don't know of any other difference.

[QuackingShoe]

As も carries a meaning of 'also', including in situations where you say いっても (or any variations, including でも) give a general vibe of 'also' or 'even'.
So in your example, いってもいい = going is also ok. It's ok even if you go. Or more naturally, simply it's ok if you go. This is used to give permission, as explained previously. Note that you don't have to mention what the other part of this 'also' is. It's generally implicit: in this case, it's in addition to not going. Not going, going - both are ok.

However, the construction isn't just for giving permission - that's just one application, as 'must do' is only one application of なければ. It's used in any instance where you want to give that 'also/even' feeling. Again, what the other thing is in this 'also' is unstated. Random example off alc: "1日3～4時間しか眠らなくてもちゃんとやっていける" = get along just fine on 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night = (In addition to the normal amount of sleep,) he can also get along fine with only 3-4 hours.