What is the similarities of 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.

What is the difference between May can and could?

Could is the past tense of can. So, it has a similar meaning to can. ‘May’ is used to denote a sense of possibility or a term of factual statement in a sentence. It is used to state that something is possible in the future or present.

Can I and may I Difference?

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. Back to Usage.

Can I have or can I get?

It may sound too informal but is correct. In many cases, the verbs ‘have’ and ‘get’ are interchangeable in meaning, but not in this one.

When to use can?

Can: uses

1. Permission. We often use can to ask for or give permission:
2. Ability. We often use can to talk about ability to do something in the present or future:
3. General truths.
4. Possibility.
5. Guessing and predicting: can’t as the negative of must.
6. Requests.
7. Reproaches.
8. Offers.

What are the uses of May?

Uses of May and Might

• Permission.
• May is used to express permission. May not is used to deny permission.
• Notes.
• Possibility.
• May is also used to express possibility.
• May is also used in expressing a wish.
• May is used in subordinate clauses that express a purpose.
• Might.

When we use can?

Can is also used to suggest something might happen in the future (“If you finish your homework, we can go to the movies.”). Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something (“Can I borrow your car?” “Can I get you something to drink?”).

Can I or may I?

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.

What is the sentence of May?

[M] [T] She may not come here tomorrow. [M] [T] You may go home if you want to. [M] [T] I’m afraid it may rain tomorrow. [M] [T] May I ask a couple of questions?

When to use can or may?

When to Use May. May is also an auxiliary verb and is used to denote possibility or permission. There may be a storm tomorrow. (Possibility) I may attend the festivities this weekend.

Can vs May grammar?

Strictly speaking, can is an auxiliary verb that is used to express mental and physical capability. May is an auxiliary verb that is used to express permission. However, the sharp dividing line between the use of can and may has eroded, due to the English language’s seeming evolution toward informality.

Can vs May usage?

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. Back to Usage.

Can You vs 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.