Both "may" and "can" are used to indicate that something is allowed, but "may" is more formal: "You may leave whenever you like" is more formal than "You can go whenever you want to." Children are often taught that only "may" is used for permission, and that "can" is used only for ability.
The word 'May I' is used to ask for permission. The word 'Can I' is used to refer to possible abilities or to seek permission. It is used as a verb.
Remember, maybe is an adverb, and it's used alongside verbs or as a standalone answer to a question. May be functions as a verb. If you can replace the term with possibly or perhaps, use maybe.
Might is the past tense form of may, and it is used to express things that are less likely to happen. It is also usually used in expressing uncertainty and sometimes in asking permission as well. Could is the polite form of can, and we use it to make suggestions, requests, and also to ask permission.
Both 'may' and 'could' are used to give permission. 'May' is much politer and more formal than 'could.
“May” and “could” suggest we are less certain about something. Asking for Permission: You can use all three words to ask for permission. To be formal, though, you should use “may” instead of “could” or “can.”
There is no future tense, but may is used for talking about future possibilities: I may go to London next week.
We use maybe and may be to talk about possibility. They are often confused because we use them both when we think that something is possible but we are not certain.
You use maybe to express uncertainty, for example when you do not know that something is definitely true, or when you are mentioning something that may possibly happen in the future in the way you describe.
If you're asking for permission, "May I use the restroom" would be the correct form. We often use "may" for permission and "can" for ability.
“May I borrow your book?” Which do you think is correct? If you use “Can I…” you are literally asking if you have the ability to pick the book up from the person's hands, walk away with it, and return it later. If you use “May I…” then you are asking permission to use the book and bring it back at a later time.
“Can” means “is it physically possible?” while “may” means “is it permissible?”. Even if it is a question of whether the person you are hoping to speak to is in the office, it is more polite to use “may”. In casual conversation “can” is often used when “may” would be the correct form.
May is more formal than can when asking for and giving permission: May I speak to Mr Jones, please?
May I bring my sister too? Can I bring my sister too? There is a traditional rule that you should use “may” when asking for (or giving) permission to do something, while “can” is reserved for talking about someone's ability or capacity to do something – as in Can you play the guitar?
The more polite expression is “How may I help you?” (“may,” not “many”). You will also hear people say “How can I help you?” To the punctilious, “may” is preferable to “can,” but both expressions are gracious and acceptable, much better than “Whassup?” (If I say, “How may I help?” I'm asking permission to help.
Saying “maybe” gives your child or teen the impression that it could happen, and therefore he or she goes on thinking and hoping it will. This builds anticipation. So a day, a week, a month later when the event actually comes, his or her disappointment is even worse.
Maybe as an adverb. Maybe /ˈmeɪbi/ is an adverb and it means the same as perhaps. It is written as one word: Maybe no one will come to the party.
synonyms for may
On this page you'll find 11 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to may, such as: can, be allowed, be authorized, be permitted, and can do.
We use can to say that someone has permission to do something: We can go out whenever we want. Students can travel for free.
The negative forms are may not and might not.
Both are right. Both ask for permission and neither is offensive but “May I ask?” Is more polite than “Can I ask?”.
Could has the same meaning as may when making requests. It is equally polite to say “Could I leave early?” or “May I leave early?” Could is used with any subject to ask for permission. For example “Could I open the window?” or “Could you open the window?” are both grammatical.