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Here4yoo Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
May or can I ?
May/Can/Could I borrow a pen?
I've always been confused with "may" and "can/could". I'm not sure how to decide which word to use, help. Thanks.
I've always been confused with "may" and "can/could". I'm not sure how to decide which word to use, help. Thanks.
Top answer
In this sentence you should use May , it is more polite .
- In this sentence you should use May , it is more polite .
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7 Answers
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So it's not incorrect if I were to use "can"?
I remember being young and asking the teacher, "Can I go to the restroom?" Their response is always, "Can you?" Whenever I think of this, I'm afraid to use "can".
I remember being young and asking the teacher, "Can I go to the restroom?" Their response is always, "Can you?" Whenever I think of this, I'm afraid to use "can".
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In my opinion using CAN is not incorrect .
I would say it like this : if you want to ask something your friend it is more natural to use can , but if you are asking a teacher , a doctor etc. you should use May .
I would say it like this : if you want to ask something your friend it is more natural to use can , but if you are asking a teacher , a doctor etc. you should use May .
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The use of "may" indicates asking for permission. The use of "can" doesn't.
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Dear hear4,
As to my knowladge you have to use may in places where you don't know the person well or it's a superior you request something from. As to the english books may and could is more polite than can.
As to my knowladge you have to use may in places where you don't know the person well or it's a superior you request something from. As to the english books may and could is more polite than can.
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here4yooI remember being young and asking the teacher, "Can I go to the restroom?" Their response is always, "Can you?" Whenever I think of this, I'm afraid to use "can".That's because your teacher was a supercilious ding-bat.
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Hi here4yoo,
You can use all of them, but they're a bit different.
May: is used for polite requests, in the same way as Can I? (so your teacher was absolutely wrong)
Can:
1. know how to, be able to E.g: I can swim
2. be allowed to E.g: You can sit here.
Co
You can use all of them, but they're a bit different.
May: is used for polite requests, in the same way as Can I? (so your teacher was absolutely wrong)
Can:
1. know how to, be able to E.g: I can swim
2. be allowed to E.g: You can sit here.
Co
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