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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

May I go now? = Can I go now?

I have learned that 'may' can be used for the meaning of 'can'. For example, May I go now? = Can I go now? But my teacher says there is a meaning difference between them. Especially, when we say, "Can I go to the bathroom", the answer can be 'Yes, you can, but you may not'. As far as I know, when they are used for the meaning of 'allowed', there is no nuance. What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much as usual and have a good day.
  

Top answer

Anonymous As far as I know, when they are used for the meaning of 'allowed', there is no nuance. As far as I'm concerned, the only nuance is in the head of the 'stickler for propriety' like the school teacher you mentioned. I think most Americans now accept 'can' in place of 'may' for permission, Even a clerk in a store might use either: May/Can I help you?

— Philip

  • Anonymous As far as I know, when they are used for the meaning of 'allowed', there is no nuance.
  • As far as I'm concerned, the only nuance is in the head of the 'stickler for propriety' like the school teacher you mentioned.
  • I think most Americans now accept 'can' in place of 'may' for permission, Even a clerk in a store might use either: May/Can I help you?
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2 Answers
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Anonymous As far as I know, when they are used for the meaning of 'allowed', there is no nuance.
As far as I'm concerned, the only nuance is in the head of the 'stickler for propriety' like the school teacher you mentioned. I think most Americans now accept 'can' in place of 'may' for permission, Even a clerk in a store might use either: May/Can I help you?
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A person who answers "Can I go to the bathroom?" with "Yes, you can, but you may not" is being infuriatingly pedantic and deserves a slap. Let the kid pee. To insist on "may" when permission is being asked for is only suitable in the most formal of settings, say, a televised speech. The rest of the time, "can" is preferable because "may" sounds prissy.

My two cents.
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