Can or 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.

1. Is it may or can I?
2. Could I vs Can I vs May I?
3. Can I ask or may I ask?
4. Can or may I go to the bathroom?
5. Can VS may sentence?
6. Can and may difference in a sentence?
7. Can I borrow or may I borrow?
8. Is May I know polite?
9. Can I get or may I have?
10. When should I use may?
11. Which is correct could I or can I?
12. Could I may I can I Could you or can you?
13. Which is more polite Can I or could I?
14. Can I help you or may I help you?
15. What is the difference may and could?
16. What is the usage of can?

Is it may or can I?

The word 'May I' is used to ask for permission. The word 'Can I' is used to refer to possible abilities or to seek permission. It is used as a verb.

Could I vs Can I vs May I?

Discussing a Possibility: “Can” suggests a strong possibility or a general truth. “May” and “could” suggest we are less certain about something. Asking for Permission: You can use all three words to ask for permission. To be formal, though, you should use “may” instead of “could” or “can.”

Can I ask or may I ask?

May is the most formal way to ask for permission. The distinction between can and may is slowly disappearing in English. These days, is not always clear if may is being used to express permission or possibility—or both. Let's look at some examples in the language of Internet privacy policies.

Can or may I go to the bathroom?

If you're asking for permission, "May I use the restroom" would be the correct form. We often use "may" for permission and "can" for ability.

Can VS may 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 and may difference in a sentence?

Can refers to the capability of someone in doing something. May is used in sentence to reflect the possibility or permissibility of something. Team A can win this match. May I go outside?

Can I borrow or 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.

Is May I know polite?

Both are correct although you should put an 'I' before 'just wanted to ask' which is quite informal. “May I know” is pretty formal.

Can I get or may I have?

"May I have..." is more polite, however most people will just say "Can I get..." Both mean asking for something, and have the same meaning :) "Can I get..." is more natural in almost any case. But if you're in a more formal setting, use "May I get..." Some examples: 1.

When should I use may?

Use may for present tense, and might for past perfect tense. May expresses a high possibility of something happening, whereas might hints that it might not happen. Both may and might can be used to ask for permission, but use may when giving permission.

Which is correct could I or can I?

Both can and could can be used to make a request, but when asking for permission, could is the more polite choice to use. When indicating ability or possibility, can is used in the present tense and could is used in the past tense.

Could I may I can I Could you or can you?

"Can I" is best for semi-formal situations. "Could I" is best for semi-formal situations. "May I" is best for semi-formal situations.

Which is more polite Can I or could I?

could is more formal and polite than can: Could I ask a question please? Could we go home now?

Can I help you or may I help 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.

What is the difference may and could?

'Could' is used to refer to past, present, and future events that had or still have a chance of happening. She could win the prize. We could have flying cars in the future. 'May' is also used to show a chance of occurrence in the present and the future.

What is the usage of can?

We use can to express possibility or to question possibilities: We can go to Rome in June because both of us have a week off work. (It is possible for us to go to Rome because we don't have to work in June.)