Difference Between Can and 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.

1. What is the difference of CAN and May?
2. Can or may I go to the bathroom?
3. Can and May in a sentence?
4. Can you please vs May you please?
5. Is it correct to say May?
6. What mean May?
7. When to say may I?
8. Can I ask you or may I ask you?
9. Can I help you or may I help you?
10. Where do we use may?
11. Can I request or request may?
12. Will may predict future?

What is the difference of CAN and May?

The word 'can' and 'may' are modal verbs, wherein can is used to denote a person's ability in doing something or talking about any kind of possibility. ... In general, we use the word can for informally asking for something. Conversely, may is used for formally asking for or allowing something.

Can or may I go to the bathroom?

"Can" denotes ability. "Can I go to the restroom?" means "Am I capable of going to the restroom?" This is probably not what was intended. This distinction is often ignored in casual conversation, but "may" is both correct and more polite.

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 you please vs May you please?

They are both correct. However "can" entails the issue of "possibility". If you ask someone "can you" it is as if you're wondering if they are capable of doing it. "May" is typically used for requests, but I will definitely side with WindowsDude7 right above!

Is it correct to say May?

May you isn't automatically incorrect. "May you live in interesting times," expresses the wish that the person being addressed live in interesting times. But this is not usually what people mean when they say may you. May you is usually used in the sense of may I, but may I is asking for permission.

What mean May?

Webster Dictionary

May. an auxiliary verb qualifyng the meaning of another verb, by expressing: (a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can. Etymology: [F. Mai, L. Maius; so named in honor of the goddess Maia (Gr.

When to say may I?

As for May I at the start of a sentence, its commonest use is as a rhetorical device – typically in a speech or official meeting – for introducing a statement or suggestion (rather than a question): May I say how deeply honoured I am to be invited to chair the NCVO.

Can I ask you or may I ask you?

May I ask you a question? Asking for permission. In addition, "may" version is more polite than the "can" version. Realistically speaking, both ask for permission and neither is offensive, but yes, "may" is still more polite than "can."

Can I help you or may I help you?

Both are correct, but the meaning is not the same. "Can I help you?" is probably more common. Suppose you see someone standing at a street corner with a map, looking around at the intersecting streets. if you say "Can I help you?", you are assuming that is possible, but not certain, that the person needs help.

Where do we use may?

We use may in formal writing, especially academic English, to describe things which the speaker thinks are generally true or possible. In this case, it is a more formal equivalent of can.

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. 'Could I use your bathroom?'

Will may predict future?

We use will and might to make predictions about what we expect to happen in the future. Both will and might are modal auxiliary verbs. This means that they are followed by the infinitive of the verb without “to”: It will rain later.