Personal use of "may" and "can" for permission.

Personally? No. I pretty much use can for both. I'd only say 'may' if I was making a point/joking. I know that theoretically it is correct but lets just say that no-one in my circles uses it seriously these days. I'm sure it is still used by other people.

No. Never may. Always can.

Nona The BritPersonally? No. I pretty much use can for both. I'd only say 'may' if I was making a point/joking. I know that theoretically it is correct but lets just say that no-one in my circles uses it seriously these days. I'm sure it is still used by other people.

Thanks, Nona. You say you'd use it for making a point or joking, but would you also find your

Thanks, Jim.

No I wouldn't use it with elderly people any more than anyone else.

I might also use it if I were trying to be ultra-polite.

Thanks again, Nona.

Coming to this a bit late but, hopefully, not too late to be helpful. Not sure of the context of this query, but I'll use an example to illustrate my opinion;

Q: "Can I smoke (a cigarette)?" A: "Yes, it is possible... if you put one in your mouth and light it!"

Q: "May I smoke (a cigarette)?" A: "Thank you for asking, but I'd prefer that you didn't... cigarette smoke irritat

NomskComing to this a bit late but, hopefully, not too late to be helpful. Not sure of the context of this query, but I'll use an example to illustrate my opinion;

Q: "Can I smoke (a cigarette)?" A: "Yes, it is possible... if you put one in your mouth and light it!"

Q: "May I smoke (a cigarette)?" A: "Thank you for asking, but I'd prefer that you di

I think I agree, Milky. It's on the way out. If I felt the urge to be very polite, I'd probably say "Would you mind if I..."

I certainly tell my kids "Yes, you can use my laptop," not "may."

<I certainly tell my kids "Yes, you can use my laptop," not "may.">

We've never used "may " in our family.