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Spoken English > Learn Spoken English > In questions, when to use can and may?
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In questions, when to use can and may?

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Mechanical Engineer

Can is used in the context of questioning the possibility or ability of something or someone, as in "can you fly?," "can you swim?," " can this happen?," can you please lend me some money?" whereas may is used in such cases when seeking permission as in "may I know your name please?" "may I go?" ...
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Can is used in the context of questioning the possibility or ability of something or someone, as in "can you fly?," "can you swim?," " can this happen?," can you please lend me some money?" whereas may is used in such cases when seeking permission as in "may I know your name please?" "may I go?" Also when you are trying to be more formal, you can use 'may' instead of 'can' read less
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Excellence Award Winner ( 7 times )

we use "may" to ask for permission or to grant permission, we use "will" or "can" when we want to ask someone to do something
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English Language Expert

Use May and Can with I to ask for permission to do something: May I come in? (formal) Can I come in? (informal) Could I come in? (informal but more polite than 'can') Can you wait for a minute? (request) Could you wait for a minute? (request, more polite than 'can') Can you complete the...
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Use May and Can with I to ask for permission to do something: May I come in? (formal) Can I come in? (informal) Could I come in? (informal but more polite than 'can') Can you wait for a minute? (request) Could you wait for a minute? (request, more polite than 'can') Can you complete the project by 20th? (Is it possible?) Can refers to possibility here and not request. read less
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communication and soft skills trsiner

hi, Swarna In English helping verbs help a lot in speaking especially you're asking "may"&"can". 1. MAY :- is used for uncertainty things (chances of happening mean while probability ) for example : It may rain today. We are going to trip, you may also join with us. tell me your problem. we may...
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hi, Swarna In English helping verbs help a lot in speaking especially you're asking "may"&"can". 1. MAY :- is used for uncertainty things (chances of happening mean while probability ) for example : It may rain today. We are going to trip, you may also join with us. tell me your problem. we may find out solution( he is not sure of finding out a solution but probably it may or may not ). 2.CAN :- ability to do things for example : I can speak a good English ( means you have a capability of speaking a good English ). we can definitely solve your problem . if you think, you can also learn any foreign language. can you give me Rd. 5000? wish you all the best Swarna regards Veena Acharya English trainer read less
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learn with a smile

'Can' implies ability. .'May'asks for permission .
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Success Coach , helping you to achieve your dreams & aspirations

can - I CAN do it. (affirmation to mind and self) may- I may go for vacation (state of confusion or not sure. )
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Can & May both are auxiliary (helping) verbs. 'May' is used for permission in a formal way,i.e when you are taking permission from your teachers,person of higher designation,higher authorities,parents etc. E.g- May I come in? 'Can' is used for taking permission in an informal way,i.e when talking...
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Can & May both are auxiliary (helping) verbs. 'May' is used for permission in a formal way,i.e when you are taking permission from your teachers,person of higher designation,higher authorities,parents etc. E.g- May I come in? 'Can' is used for taking permission in an informal way,i.e when talking to your friends,colleagues,juniors,etc. E.g-Can I use your pen? read less
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Modal Can They can control their own budgets. We can’t fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me? Used for Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Could you say it again more slowly? We could try to fix it ourselves. I...
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Modal Can They can control their own budgets. We can’t fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me? Used for Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Could you say it again more slowly? We could try to fix it ourselves. I think we could have another Gulf War. He gave up his old job so he could work for us. Used for Asking for permission. Request Suggestion Future possibility Ability in the past May May I have another cup of coffee? China may become a major economic power. Used for Asking for permission Future possibility Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. They might give us a 10% discount. Present possibility Future possibility Must We must say good-bye now. They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary. Used for Necessity / Obligation Prohibition read less
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