In questions, when to use can and may?

Asked by Last Modified  

9 Answers

Follow 5
Answer

Please enter your answer

Vijay Gupta

French language teacher -Japanese language teacher and trainer

Can is used for capablities and May is used to use to take permission.
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Excellence Award Winner ( 7 times )

But the 'permission' use of can is not in fact incorrect in standard English. The only difference between the two verbs is that one is more polite than the other. In informal contexts it's perfectly acceptable to use can; in formal situations it would be better to use may.
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Chemistry teacher

Can is when you check the ability; may is when you seek permission
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Computer Trainer

Can and may both are auxiliary verbs and both are use for asking for permission.One thing to note here is may is more polite than may.
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Spoekn English & IELTS Coach

1. We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability. Example: She can speak six languages. 2. We use 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. For example: Could I leave early today, please?, You may not use the car tonight and Can we swim in the lake?
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Easy way of study.

when should you have to use is not necessary but EX: can you able to do the work or may be couldn't
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Tutor

May is used for formal permission
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Yoga tutor at home teaching since 20years

Can and may both are used for permission. Can is used for ability or informal permission..Can I borrow your pen? Whereas may is used for formal permission.How may I assist you.?
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

TEFL Certified English Trainer | 10+ Years Experience | Workplace & Real-Life Fluency Coach

As I usually explain to my students, both “can” and “may” are used in questions, but they serve different purposes. “Can” is mainly used to talk about ability or informal permission. For example, “Can you solve this problem?” (ability) or “Can I come...
read more
As I usually explain to my students, both “can” and “may” are used in questions, but they serve different purposes. “Can” is mainly used to talk about ability or informal permission. For example, “Can you solve this problem?” (ability) or “Can I come in?” (casual permission among friends or in everyday situations). “May” is used for formal permission and sounds more polite and respectful. For example, “May I come in, sir?” or “May I ask a question?”—these are more appropriate in classrooms or formal settings. So, in simple terms I tell students: Use “can” for ability and informal situations, and “may” when you want to be polite or formal while asking permission. read less
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

View 7 more Answers

Related Questions

How can I learn speaking English?
Join English Speaking classes. Join me, I take English Speaking classes online, via the internet
Dipak
0 0
View Comments8
I want online English language tutor.
Hi Ramesh .. thanks for same .. we believe in Class room education.. when it comes to learning any language ..
Ramesh
how can i learn English
To learn any new language, the best method to be employed is to ensure maximum exposure to the correct usage of the said language. for example... if someone likes watching movies... they could simultaneously...
Raj
can i speak english ?
Jitender, probably you meant to ask if you can learn to speak good English. The answer is YES! It's just a language. Now how soon we learn to speak our mother tongue just because we keep listening to...
Jitender
How can I speak English fast?
That's a straightforward question. Start from your home, i.e., start speaking with members at your home and yes do clear your doubts in grammar for fluent English.
Seemi

Now ask question in any of the 1000+ Categories, and get Answers from Tutors and Trainers on UrbanPro.com

Ask a Question

Related Lessons

Five ways to not repeat the word
Many times while talking to strangers or the people we want to be polite with, we end up using the word “please” too often. So, here are some ways to avoid using “Please” while...

Indu S.

0 0
View Comments0
Communication Skills & Spoken English
To sharp your communication skills you need to practice daily on your weak parts... If you wanna learn english fast you should atleast read 10 pages of any kind of english passages or news etc...

Prakash Makhija

0 0
View Comments0
Phonology - Self Learning Program (Spoken English)
English Professionally 1 Day Self:- Learning Program. Benefits : * International phonetic Alphabets (IPA) * Optimum Dictionary Usage * Flawless Pronunciation * Clean Articulation * Absolute Listening...

Viha B.

0 0
View Comments0
use of "some and "any"
Some Countable and uncountable Some is used with both countable and uncountable nouns: Countable Nouns - 'Some people in my school like Jazz.'Uncountable Nouns - 'There was some snow here last winter.' Positive...

Krithika N.

0 0
View Comments0
Fill in the empty boxes with masculine words
Masculine Feminine mother duck empress hostess niece sister wife waitress ...

Denny Davis

0 0
View Comments0

Recommended Articles

Learning foreign language in India

If you think English is enough to communicate with anybody in this world, you are sadly misinformed. Statistically the highest spoken foreign language in the world is Chinese with 20.7%, followed by English at 6.2%. That means that 93.8% of people do not speak English. This makes it necessary to learn another foreign language...

Read full article >

Choosing the right Foreign Language to learn...

When globalization was out of picture, it was enough to know just the mother tongue. Since globalization and out-sourcing have become part of life, there is a nagging need to learn new languages. Foreign languages help us to communicate with potential clients, sell our ideas and bond with their culture. It could be opening...

Read full article >

Job Prospects for German Language Learners

Due to globalization of the Indian economy, the demand for learning foreign languages is on the rise. ITES (Information Technology Enabled Service) and Outsourcing have brought a lot of job opportunities paving the way for the learning foreign languages. German is the native language of more than 100 million people in...

Read full article >

Which language is more useful to learn French...

Learning any second language could be a little bit tricky. However, to learn a language, one needs to write, read, understand and speak it appropriately. Therefore, many students and professionals find it helpful in learning a foreign language from a reputable and reliable source. A second language helps them to increase...

Read full article >

Find Spoken English classes near you
Spoken English classes in Delhi
Spoken English classes in Bangalore
Spoken English classes in Hyderabad
Spoken English classes in Chennai
Spoken English classes in Mumbai
Spoken English classes in Kolkata
Spoken English classes in Pune
Spoken English classes in Noida
Spoken English classes in Gurgaon
Spoken English classes in Lucknow
Online Spoken English Classes

Looking for Spoken English classes?

Learn from the Best Tutors on UrbanPro

Are you a Tutor or Training Institute?

Join UrbanPro Today to find students near you