What's the difference? When to use which one?
2007-02-21 07:49:13 · 10 answers · asked by Part Time Cynic 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
may I is asking for permission- May I use your restroom? and May I have a glass of milk?
can I is asking about ability- Can I lift a car? Can I make the jump over this puddle?
Does that help you?
2007-02-21 07:53:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are asking for something then you use 'may'. You only use 'can' when you are asking if you actually CAN do something.
Eg. May I use the loo?
Can I get this dart in the 20?
May I have another cake?
(Can I have another cake is incorrect because if there are cakes there, then of course you can because it is possible, though whether it is permitted or not is another question!
Hope this helps
2007-02-21 07:57:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
May i, and Can i, mean the same. But May i is more polite.
2007-02-21 08:03:35 · answer #3 · answered by Riklionheart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I open this door for you?
Can I have another one please?
It is to do with the intension and situation of the question, think formal and informal.
2007-02-21 07:55:40 · answer #4 · answered by Zmithy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you say 'Can I?' you are asking if such an act is physically possible - a future tense of 'to be able to'.
When you ask 'May I?' you are implying that you are physically able to BUT are asking permission to - future tense of 'to be allowed to'.
'Can I go to the toilet, Sir?'
'You CAN! But you MAY not.'
2007-02-21 08:01:52 · answer #5 · answered by narkypoon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May asks permission. Can asks capability.
May I use the restroom? Can you do this for me?
2007-02-21 07:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by clg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I means - will you let me and can I means am I physically able to do it.
2007-02-21 07:53:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
'May I' means 'do I have permission to'.
'Can I' means 'am I able to'.
However, in everyday speech, people do say 'can' when they should really say 'may'. Like 'Can I use your phone?' 'You can come with us.'
.
2007-02-21 09:07:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I is more polite? Less intrusive.
2007-02-21 07:53:08 · answer #9 · answered by DizzyDream 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I don't know, can you?
2007-02-21 07:56:54 · answer #10 · answered by dopeadevil23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋