2006-10-10 15:55:07 · 38 answers · asked by Howdy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
May I means you are asking permision, Can I means am I capable
2006-10-10 15:56:52 · answer #1 · answered by Bonnie K 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Generally, I think it is the same. People tend to use Can I more than May I in everyday conversation but I would also agree that May I sounds a little more polite.And to make your answer polite you need to use the word "may "
For Example
Question : May I borrow a pencil ?
Answer: Yes, you may borrow a pencil.
2006-10-10 16:10:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I-asked if you may
Can I-asks if you can
very different answers you can walk to the road,but may you?
My mother said I may fly out of the yard-but can I actually do it
2006-10-10 15:59:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I is "do I have permission to -say -go to the bathroom
Can I means Do I have the ability to do something, like getting up and going to the rest room yourself
2006-10-10 15:58:51 · answer #4 · answered by mabell1025 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grammatically the difference is the level of conditional
Can I is the least conditional most possible
May I is less possible
From the use point of view is a degree of politeness
2006-10-10 16:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by runlolarun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"May I" indicates that a person wants permission to do something (i.e., may I have a cookie") "Can I" implies that the person is unsure that he/she CAN actually perform the task (i.e., can I lift that much weight?) Hope this helps explain the difference.
2006-10-10 16:02:33 · answer #6 · answered by lizbrad2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I is used prior to marriage:
May I have this dance?
Can I is used after marriage:
Can I have the freaking remote for Christ's sake?
2006-10-10 15:58:23 · answer #7 · answered by roguetrader2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
May I refers to having permission to do something, Can I refers to having the ability to do something
2006-10-10 15:58:22 · answer #8 · answered by chinadoll31645 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
May I is asking permission to do something; Can I is questioning whether you can actually complete "the task"/deed.
2006-10-10 15:59:53 · answer #9 · answered by sweet ivy lyn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Can I" is asking if you are physically able to do something. asking "can i go to the bathroom?" is improper in, say, a classroom setting because if you have a bladder and if you have a way to expel the bodily waste in your bladder, then yes you can physically go to the bathroom.
"May I" is asking if you are allowed to do something. asking "may i go to the bathroom?" is the proper way to ask that question in a classroom setting because you're asking the teacher if you are allowed to go to the bathroom at that time.
2006-10-10 15:58:13 · answer #10 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋