Can V May?

May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the "possibility" sense. You may use can if you wish, and you can use may if it makes you feel better.

When to you may or can?

Basically, the word 'can' is used when someone has the ability to do something, or when you are allowed to do something. On the other hand, may is used to discuss possibility or happenings in the future. It is also used when you want to take or give permission for doing something.

Can and May in a sentence?

Even the Oxford English dictionary informs us that the permission use of can is not incorrect, but it's better and more polite to use may in formal situations. Example: He can hold his breath for 30 seconds. Meaning: He is able to hold his breath for 30 seconds. Example: He may hold his breath for 30 seconds.

Can vs May in a question?

May is used to express possibility or ask permission. Can is used to express ability and informally used to ask permission.

Can I or may I or shall I?

Well, actually, in modern English they are both considered acceptable. May is a preferred in a formal style or when you want to be more polite. In less formal situations, can is perfectly acceptable. Both can and may are used to ask for permission.

Difference Between Can and May in English Grammar



Can I request or request may?

'May' is more correct, as it is asking for permission. 'Can' literally means 'is it (physically) possible?' but is often used in this way by native speakers and would not be misunderstood or sound at all strange.

When to use can?

We use can to say that someone has permission to do something: We can go out whenever we want.

Is May a synonym of can?

In this page you can discover 41 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for may, like: can, might, be allowed, be possible, will, be credible, whitethorn, allowed, permitted, should and possible.

How do you use may?

How to Use 'May' in a Sentence
  1. Use “may” to describe present-tense hypotheticals. For example, "You may be in line for a promotion."
  2. Use “may” to describe things that are likely to happen. ...
  3. Use “may” to express permission. ...
  4. Use “may” to express a confident negative hypothetical.


Can I borrow vs May I borrow?

“May I borrow your book?” Which do you think is correct? If you use “Can I…” you are literally asking if you have the ability to pick the book up from the person's hands, walk away with it, and return it later. If you use “May I…” then you are asking permission to use the book and bring it back at a later time.

Where can we use can Could May?

Both "may" and "can" are used to indicate that something is allowed, but "may" is more formal: "You may leave whenever you like" is more formal than "You can go whenever you want to." Children are often taught that only "may" is used for permission, and that "can" is used only for ability.

What is example of can?

Examples: I can speak four languages. She can drive a car. He can speak English fast.

Can in the future?

There is no future tense of can, but will be able to is used for saying that someone will have the ability to do something or that something will be possible in the future, especially after a long time: She'll be able to walk soon. A hundred years from now people will be able to visit Mars.

Is May a verb?

language note: May is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. You use may to indicate that something will possibly happen or be true in the future, but you cannot be certain.

Can formal word?

Although 'could' is used as the past form of 'can', it is also used as a polite form of 'can' when asking permission to do something or when asking people to do things.

Can you or may you?

May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the "possibility" sense. You may use can if you wish, and you can use may if it makes you feel better.

CAN is present or past?

The verb “can” in its present form is perfect to ask for permission or to give permission to someone. Also, its negative form, can't, can be used to refuse permission. Its past form, could, can be used to ask for permission in a more polite way.

Is May I please correct?

It is not correct to use the phrase “may you please” because, in essence, the words “may” and “you” cannot follow one another in that order when asking for permission. We can, however, say “May I please” and, in contrast, we can say “You may…,” which means that someone has permission to do something.

Can for polite request?

You can also use 'can' and 'will' to make polite requests but these can be used in more casual situations. Again, you can vary the formality of the request by adding or removing 'please'.

How do you politely ask for something?

Here are some better phrases to make polite requests in English:
  1. “Do you mind…?.”
  2. “Would you mind…?
  3. “Could I…?”
  4. “Would it be ok if…?”
  5. “Would it be possible…?”
  6. “Would you be willing to…?”


Can I help you or may I help you?

Example: "Can you do it?" "Can I help you?" and "May I help you?" are both correct and almost the same, but "Can I help you?" is like asking "Is there something you need help with?" And "May I help you?" is like "Is it okay if I help you?" "Shall I?" = "Do you want me to?" "Should I?" The differences are very small and ...

Can I please or could I please?

There is no difference in meaning between “can you please” and “could you please”. Although “can you please” and “could you please” mean the same thing, there could be a slight difference in interpretation because of the fact that “could” has a hypothetical meaning in other contexts and “can” has a realistic meaning.

Can I or could I?

Both 'can' and ' could' are modal verbs that refer to 'a possibility', 'ability' or 'capacity'. 'Can' refers to a general truth or something that has a strong possibility. 'Could' refers to something that has a weak possibility, or something that might happen, but not necessarily a general truth.