Confusing Words: Can (verb) and May (verb)
Meaning:
Can (be able to.)
May (expressing possibility.)
Can vs May Clarification: Can and may are not interchangeable.
Can vs May – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Can and may are both auxiliary verbs. Though, their meanings are quite close but there are differences in the usage of these words. You have to be careful about the contexts because both words can express different natures.
Let me define them one by one. In this way, it will be easy for you to differentiate between can vs. may.
Can
Can is used as an auxiliary verb within sentences. It is used when you are speaking about ability ( physical or mental ability) to do something.
1. Can you sing a song?
2. I can imagine your situation that you are facing right now.
3. Today, you can choose to be in a good mood, or a bad mood. Give yourself permission to be happy every day. (Joel Osteen)
May
May is also used as an auxiliary verb within sentences. It means to express possibility; to give or to ask for a permission to do something.
1. You may go for shopping, if you want to.
2. See the clouds; it may rain today.
3. I may not be perfect.
Can or May?
The definitions of can and may are clear. Now, be careful in using these two auxiliary verbs. Whenever you want to ask for a permission or you want to express any possibility, use may instead of can. For instance, students ask to go to drink a glass of water. Mostly, they say,
“Ma’am, can I go to drink a glass of water?”
The above sentence is absolutely wrong. They should use ‘may’ instead of ‘can’. For example,
“Ma’am, may I go to drink a glass of water?”
or
“May I go to the bathroom?”
Note: You should not write mayn’t for may not, as, this contraction is incorrect to use. However, can’t for cannot is acceptable.
May not > Mayn’t = Wrong
Cannot > Can’t = Correct
Formal vs. Informal
If you want to ask for a permission, then you can use ‘can’. In this way, you have to be careful to whom you are asking because ‘can’ can be used as an informal manner. For instance, if you ask your friend, “Can I use your pen?” then there is no problem with the sentence formation. On the other side, if you ask your teacher for a permission then you should use ‘may’ like, “May I use your pen?”
So, it can be said that may is more formal and polite than can.
May = more formal + polite
What Did You Learn?
Can and may are not interchangeable. It is important to keep them apart. Both are used as an auxiliary verb within sentences. Can is used when you are speaking about ability or it can be used to ask permission informally. May, on the other hand, is used to express possibility; to give or to ask for a permission.